My thoughts on…Windows 7’s touchscreen
June 2nd 2008 -
As we all know (we techies anyway) Windows 7 is scheduled for release in the next year or two. Consumers are anxious to see what Micro$oft will dish out next, after the dismal performance of the much over hyped Vista. The most hyped feature to date is its touchscreen (looks like someone’s out to imitate the iPhone), which Bill Gates says will signal the end of the computer mouse. I almost laughed when I heard this. Remember the days when the tech world would hang on ever word Bill said? Back then he was hailed as a visionary, and headlines were made whenever this pioneer of technology spoke. Nowadays there’s more choice, especially more operating systems to choose from, and the many flaws of Microsoft’s products have been made more than obvious. So now, when Bill speaks, people stare for a moment, then go back to typing on their Macs.
The end of the mouse? C’mon Bill. I’m all for innovation, and I know you want to add as much features as you can after disappointing customers with Vista, please, don’t make such silly pronouncements. The mouse feels natural, especially the ergonomic and wireless ones. I like touchscreens, but it feels like an alien interface to me, worse typing on one. I like keyboard because they give me a satisfying *clack* whenever I make contact with a key, which alerts me whenever I may have missed a key.
And how would gaming go? Would you make a head shot by poking your enemy? Kinda takes the challenge out of it don’t ya think? I don’t think the computing world is ready for such a dramatic change. The cost involved would just be too great. And I bet Micro$oft will have proprietary ownership on those touchscreens, and somehow try create another monopoly. I wouldn’t put it past them. Still, technology is ever changing, and who knows, one day Gates’ words will hold true, but in two years? Hell no! I still see the venerable mouse infesting our desktops for many years to come. As for me, I want an iPhone in my pocket, not on my desktop.
GC Says:
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:00 am
good point about the gaming
I don’t like the touch screen idea
every time there’s a screen I have to touch, I end up touching the wrong thing by accident
I think the mouse is here to stay
It’s like doorknobs–they do what we need them to do. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
GC’s last blog post..breathe
MissJay Says:
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:21 am
To me touch screens only work effectively with ATMs, Airport check in stations, ordering station at Wawa. Not in the home. I hope he doesn’t go there with the touch screen. No one would be able to afford it but Gates and whoever keeps jacking up the price of oil.
Cranky Putz Says:
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:06 pm
ITs the smudges that worry me, i mean how am I supposed to enjoy my super buttery pop corn and touch my screen…
Mad Bull Says:
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
2 years, huh? We’ll see. I think I will be putting an appointment in outlook for 2 years from today, to see if you were right or wrong, Leon.
Mad Bull’s last blog post..Teach Di Yutes Right!
Stunner Says:
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Windows 7, blah! I am still ok with XP.
Stunner’s last blog post..Bolt Beats Gay!!!
taylor2nd Says:
June 5th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
This just might sell off still. We can only wait and see what happens. multi touch interface’s are really cool though.
taylor2nd’s last blog post..Ubuntu for UMPC’s in june Where’s the UME though?
Ricardo Says:
June 9th, 2008 at 2:41 am
Mill and M$ were never innovators. they were copycats and had the money to keep the smaller innovative companies quiet when they stole ideas or buy them out. It’s caught up with them and I’m none to surprised.