Microsoft rolls out first Windows 7 details
updated 03:05 pm EDT, Tue October 28, 2008
Windows 7 First Details
Microsoft at its Professional Developer Conference today provided a first look at Windows 7, the company's successor to Vista. The operating system is based heavily on the underlying framework of Vista but focuses heavily on redesigning the interface. The Windows taskbar and the general interface has been improved to speed up common tasks: running apps are simplified to icons and now include Jump Lists that provide shortcuts to common tasks for running apps, such as queuing up playlists in Windows Media Player. Pointing at each item on the taskbar also lets users "peek" at the contents of a running app without having to select the window.
An extra feature known as Libraries also creates directory-independent file organization. Users can browse their picture libraries sorted into groups by their metadata, for example, rather than having to manually create regular or smart folders.
The "ribbon" interface from Office 2007 has now spread into core operating system apps such as Paint and changes the toolbar's buttons based on context, exposing more features without having to search menus.
The software firm has also addressed some complaints with Vista and earlier versions of Windows. The system tray no longer automatically shows third-party icons by default and lets users choose which ones to show. The gadget sidebar has been scrapped in favor of a place-anywhere design that lets users personalize the desktop.
Performance has also improved significantly, the company says. While Windows Vista was previously kept off netbooks due to its sluggish performance on low requirements, Windows 7 should run smoothly on systems using Intel Atom processors and other low-performance systems. Windows engineering senior VP Steven Sinofsky has run a complete smooth demonstration of the new operating system on a test system with just a 1GHz processor and 1GB of RAM.
Other additions echo previous last-minute leaks and include Device Stage, a central hub for synchronizing and managing cameras, media players and other devices; a new animation framework; and much more advanced hardware feature support, including very high DPI displays, built-in Bluetooth file transfers and multi-touch input.
Microsoft doesn't say when it expects to release Windows 7 but notes in its presentation that there will be one main beta followed by a feedback stage, a late customer experience beta, and a release to manufacturing, suggesting that the company may skip its more traditional multi-beta and release candidate stages for outside users. Previously, the company has said it hoped to release Windows 7 in early 2010 and may need to start shipping the OS in late 2009 for this to take place. [images via Ars Technica]
Dock
10/28, 03:20pm reply
Why don't they just buy a license to OS X and get it over with, this continual copying of elements from OS X is getting tiring - their task bar just looks like a Dock rip off.
rytc
Mac Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2001
Fixing wrong end
10/28, 03:22pm (1 reply) reply
"underlying framework of Vista." Holy Cow, they are still not fixing the broken part. The part that meets the interface to the other people's hardware "Drivers".
Still chained to and building on DOS after all these years.
starwarrior
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2006
Hideous
10/28, 03:26pm reply
It looks like Linux.
Why can't we have cool, three-dimensional desktops, like in films?
MatildeMatilde
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2008
OMG
10/28, 03:32pm reply
Poor Windows. It really does look like Mac OS X!
scotte75ky
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
WOW
10/28, 03:45pm reply
Ok, I have been testing the KDE 4.1 on ubuntu and it not only looks like this, but a lot of the concepts are really ..... converging. It seems that what OS X has had for the last 6 years is where everyone else is headed too. KDE 4.1 is looking almost good enough to switch to full time. I would guess that the next couple of releases will really put it ahead of windows and probably even OS X.
Nothing like a little competition to keep things interesting.
thedude
thedude
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
Holy Bat c*** Batman
10/28, 03:54pm (1 reply) reply
"based heavily on the underlying framework of Vista but focuses heavily on redesigning the interface"
Excuse my ignorance but isn't it the whole underlying system thats the problem with windows. Fix the interface !!! that still leaves users with the whole underlying system problems.
At the time many users were not happy with Apple when they drew the line in the sand and simply dumped the old OS and forced users to move to the new OS.
Microsoft needs to do the same , only problem is they dont have any new great operating system to go to or the vision to develop one.
russell2200
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2008
Stole the Dock
10/28, 04:43pm reply
Wow! Look the scumbags stole the Dock.
Just buy a Mac, Bill...
yackamac
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2008
Nah!
10/28, 04:53pm reply
I disagree, these screenshots are hideous they look nothing like a Mac.
The other big problem with Vista is the annoying security warnings and the continuous message boxes that ask you to buy this and install that and update this and pay for Norton and that Norton is deactivated for this feature and that Norton wants to do your sister... sheeesh!
BelugaShark
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
Get ready...
10/28, 05:01pm reply
Is everyone ready for 2 or more years of these "rollouts" and "first looks" -?
And - it really looks like a Mac if they had jackasses for GUI designers.
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
not at all like a Mac
10/28, 05:08pm reply
That blurry stuff that's shining through those translucent window edges? That's the most hideous, irritating, distracting thing I've ever seen in any UI.
Jeronimo2000
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001