Microsoft Unveils Windows 7

Microsoft has offered a very early peek at their new operating system, which they say is evolutionary, not revolutionary.

After the critical pounding Windows Vista has received since its release – although Microsoft insist it’s been successful – there’s a lot resting on Windows 7, the next OS from Microsoft. And yesterday it offered a first peek at the system at the Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles.

As well as saying it will offer a more personalized experience, Microsoft senior vice-president Steven Sinofsky described it as an "exciting new version of Windows."

So what does it do?

There will be support for multi-touch technology, Windows Touch, which will let users, allowing users to move their fingers to zoom in on an object in a manner remarkably similar to the iPhone by competitor Apple.

The toolbar has been redesigned to give faster access to programs and files, and new windows will open as thumbnails.
For those who share data across a home network, the new Home Group will make vthat simpler and faster.

Device Stage will have a single window to manage devices like printers and cameras.

Microsoft’s chief software architect Ray Ozzie told the BBC:

"Vista is a great operating system, it’s tremendously functional. Windows 7 brings it up a level by enabling it to take advantage of certain hardware innovations. PCs have evolved since Vista was launched."

Windows 7 wasn’t the only revelation yesterday. Microsoft also announced that Office will also be available as an online application like Google Docs. Office Web will be available to those who purchase the next version of Office.