Microsoft enabled the free download of the new operation system – Windows 7 Build 7000 (Beta 1) toward interested players, programmers and IT professionals in January, 2009 and the final version will be launched at the end of 2009.
It can be said that Windows 7 is the upgrade of Windows Vista based on the completeness of the system and operation efficiency. Microsoft Windows 7 not only sustains the core functions of Vista but also reinforces the design on interaction between the device and users. For better user experience, Windows 7 is featured more in user friendly operation interface.
First of all, Windows 7 supports multi-touch function on touch panel devices. Back in the year of 2008, Microsoft introduced Windows Surface which was the first Windows operation system to support multi-touch function with both hands’ movement to zoom, flick and pan the photos, applications and videos on the screen. Windows 7 also shared the same function. The user can install windows in a laptop or a device which is supported multi-touch function to enjoy the same experience of interactive screen and monitors in the move “Minority Report (2002)”.
The multi-touch functions supported in Windows 7 is hopefully to trigger more business opportunities of touch screen and display industry. In terms of touch panel technology, the operation and manufacturing can be divided into resistive, capacitive, acoustic wave, optics, camera-based and electromagnetic technologies. Since 1999, Taiwanese companies have developed resistive related products. The noted touch panel companies include JTOUCH Corp., SWENC Corp., Young Fast Optoelectronics and Wintek Corp. when Sentelic and two other foreign companies dominate the patents of Projective Capacitive Technology (PCT). Moreover, Taiwan-based eGalax_eMPIA Technology (EETI) demonstrated infrared, ultrasound and surface acoustic wave (SAW) multi-touch solutions when AU Optronics and Chunghwa Picture Tubes (CPT) also both announced the In-Cell Multi-Touch Panel Technology which is more advanced than Apple iPhone. However, Windows 7 has better memory management and the demand on memory is more sufficient than Vista. It might not be a good news for DRAM makers including Powerchip Semiconductor, Nanya Technology and Promos Technologies.
Picture 1: Windows Surface
Secondly, “Home Group” is also the new function of Windows 7 to connect other home electronic appliances. It is not an easy thing to exchange data among different specs of home electronic appliances and devices. The establishment of Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) makes it possible. The major task for DLNA is to formulate the unified transmission specification enabling the data transmitting among different brand multimedia devices. Through cable, the data can be saved and operated in Windows 7.
Picture 2: Home Group in Windows 7 control panel
DLNA was found by Intel, Microsoft, SONY, Samsung and several IT and CE manufacturers. By September of 2008, there were 3,000 products certified by DLNA. For more information of DLNA certified products and manufacturers, please visit http://www.dlna.org/products. You may find Several Taiwanese hardware manufacturers include Acer, Zyxel and software developer Cyberlink in the list. Besides, Allion Test Labs and Taiwan Institute for Information Industry established DLNA v1.5 accredited Independent Certification Vendor (ICV) to provide interoperability test service for Taiwanese companies. More Taiwanese ICT manufacturers are willing to follow DLNA certification program including Faraday Technology and Promise Technology.
Mr. J.T. Wang, Chairman and CEO of Acer, has mentioned after the completeness of technology platform, standardization of open source and the reasonable pricing and mass production of LCD and Multimedia, the year of 2007 would be a take-off year of digital home in a topic related seminar on September 26, 2006. Now, adding with Windows 7’s support of DLNA, digital home will no longer be a slogan and facility for demonstration.
Thirdly, Device Stage is a new device managing featured in Windows 7. In past operation system, it was instantly shown the new device when plug-in. Microsoft Vista even added the drivers for over 8,000 computer peripherals. However, it is not enough for users. From Device Stage you can see device status and run common tasks from a single window. There are even pictures of the devices which makes it really easy to see what's there. You may find the list of products that take advantage of Device Stage in the link: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/devices.aspx.
Besides, Windows7 can detect the device’s model number and match its application; therefore, many device makers already started put effort in developing the device coding. When each device is connected to the laptop for the first time, the compatible hardware coding can be downloaded from the web-site. To quickly access all that is offered through Device Stage for that specific device, you can right-click on the device on the taskbar to see all the Device Stage options.
Device Stage: Icons of devices and printers
Actually we can take a peek of Microsoft’s ambition and ideas on operation system with the introduction of Windows 7. Users can connect electronic appliances at home to integrate information technology devices for a better working and living environment operated from users’ desktops or laptops. In terms of home appliances, the improvement of LCD and multimedia and the certification of DLNA logo will be the future trend of developing multimedia devices. Also with the page of Device Stage, more coding information of computer peripherals and home appliances can be easily searched and functioned. On the other hand, the relation between hardware and software will be complementary. Software can provide more services and functions for improved hardware. The compatability between hardwares will go better and better for software’s flexibility and extensibility. It is believed that the future life will be fusion of living and technology.
In all, Windows 7 brings up the products supported DLNA, multi-touch displays and Device Stage supported products to become the mainstream in the future. When Windows 7 is a huge revolution of Microsoft operation system, it is expected to trigger a purchasing demand of new PCs. The OEMers of PC supply chain will be beneficial including Acer, ASUSTeK, Quanta and Compal. However, in terms of design and plan of future products and social responsibility, these will also be a great challenge for them at the same time.
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