This is not the first time that Microsoft has had problems with its operating system, there was Windows Me. Now Bill Gates and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer have teamed up to spruik Windows 7 and its all-new user interface. At the D: All Things Digital conference in the USA the pair overnight gave a hint of what is to come.
During a brief onstage demo of Windows 7, a Microsoft software designer made the puzzling choice to unveil a new "multi touch" feature by working with a paint program, evoking memories of the original Macintosh paint program in 1984. She then used the touch-sensitive technology with a photo collection and a mapping program, evoking comparisons to both the iPhone and Google Maps, which already have similar capabilities.
Another new feature appeared to be a circular pop-up menu that provided a "concierge" function. (You can watch a video of the multi touch feature on the Microsoft Vista blog). Microsoft says it will provide some details about Windows 7, the successor to Windows Vista, at its Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles in late October.
