Windows 7 could be in the hands of developers within two months, according to analysts speculating over Microsoft's plans for the next version of its desktop operating system, which is to be demonstrated to techies at two upcoming conferences.
Analyst: Developers to get code for Vista successor
Microsoft revealed last month that developers would get their first peek at Windows 7 in October, with executives planning to give partners an in-depth look at the code at the Professional Developers Conference (PDC). The software giant is also expected to demo Windows 7 at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference (WinHEC) scheduled for November
But Michael Cherry, an analyst at Directions on Microsoft, said developers could expect more than a demonstration at the two events. "When that many developers [come] together, you want them to go home with something that they can play with," said Cherry, in an interview with Computerworld US. "Microsoft will want to do more than just tell developers about Windows 7."
Cherry said Microsoft would most likely provide Windows 7 code to developers at WinHEC. "It's a small grouping by number, so I think they are more likely to get something.
"Microsoft might have some concerns about the early code getting reviewed," said Cherry. "They won't want anyone to do any performance testing with a beta, but once it's out it's inevitable that those of us as analysts will start writing our impressions about the early code. Analysts abhor a vacuum."
Although Microsoft has revealed little about Windows 7 so far, the company has demonstrated one new feature - a multitouch interface designed to improve user interaction with Windows-based applications.
In a demo to the Wall Street Journal's D: All Things Digital conference in May, Julie Larson-Green, Microsoft's corporate vice president for Windows experience programme management, showed a number of applications that could use the multitouch technology, including photography apps that enable a user to handle photos on the screen more easily. The user could drag and drop snaps, zoom in, and rotate snaps with his fingers. The musically inclined could play with their fingers on an on-screen piano keyboard.
Windows 7 is expected to ship in the second half of 2009 or in early 2010.
Comments
Nick said: A first peak or a first peek
stargaze said: I hope by the time the full release is available Google OS will be available As for touch screens my Bamboo just plugs into the USB 2 port and it works great And thats with the old Legacy XP sp3
Jack Long said: It sounds to me as if it will not be for Home Users Who wants a touch screencertainly not Me I do have Vista and find it very good though Istill miss some things from XP Jack
Ian, Glasgow said: Depressing That havent finished debugging Vista and theres talk of the next version only a year away At that point they lose interest in Vista and XP and start trying to debug Windows 7Im reluctant to buy a Windows PC ever again I have a Vista laptop which im very happy withand an Ubuntu Linux desktop ditto The difference is i have no idea how long Microsoft will continue to support Vista once Windows 7 is launched Ubuntu tell me exactly how long an operating system will be supported for before I invest any time and effort in installing and learning to use it If Microsoft want XP users to convert to Vista or anybody to buy 7 they need to tell us how long its going to last
PG said: Um ok This is barely even a glimpse of the beta You have no idea what kind of bugs there will be For all you know the thing will release a thousand mosquitos when you activate the multitouch system Save things like that till we actually see a build
David Gerard said: I am so excited about NEXTVERSION of Windows It will go beyond just solving all of the problems with CURRENTVERSION it will be an entirely new paradigm Forget about security problems those are all fixed in NEXTVERSION And theyre finally ridding themselves of ANCIENTLEGACYSTUFFAlso therell be DATABASEFILESYSTEM Itll be awesomeI wonder how NEXTVERSION will compare to NEXTNEXTVERSION tinyurlcom6bc6gu