Forget about traditional computing and PC interface, Microsoft is taking the excitement of the Surface and iPhone multi-touch and integrating it with their next operating system. Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer revealed Microsoft's upcoming Windows 7 operating system for the first time at All Things Digital conference on May 27. The demo revealed some of the new features, but the most exciting one by far is the touch and multi-touch integration which will be available as an interface option for applications.
For example, a multi-touch paint program where you can draw with 10 fingers and multi-touch gestures like two-finger zoom, flicking, and panning can be used in photo galleries.
Other revealed features include in-depth mapping application that pulls from Microsoft's Live Maps and Microsoft Virtual Earth, an OSX-ish dock similar to Apple's, but multi-touch took center stage of the demo.
You have to wait about 18 months to get your hands and fingers on Windows 7.
Windows 7 Demo
Gates Reveals Multi-Touch OS Integration
Trend Themes
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2. Multi-touch Gestures - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create gesture-based interactions for various applications, enabling intuitive and efficient user navigation.
3. In-depth Mapping Applications - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Build advanced mapping solutions that combine Live Maps and Microsoft Virtual Earth data for immersive experiences.
Industry Implications
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3. Geospatial Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Utilize in-depth mapping applications to create innovative geolocation solutions for industries such as logistics, urban planning, and transportation.