| Tuesday, October 28 2008 |
Today at its Professional Developers Conference 2008 (PDC2008), Microsoft Corp. rallied software developers by sharing the first full public demo of Windows 7. Windows 7 extends developers' investments in Windows Vista and encourages the creation of new applications and services for the Windows platform. The company also delivered a pre-beta build of Windows 7 to PDC attendees and announced plans to release a full Windows 7 beta early next year.
Microsoft also demonstrated, for the first time, its new Web applications for Office, which are lightweight versions of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote that are used from within standard Web browsers. The company showed how anyone can use all of the Web, phone, and PC versions of Office to edit the same rich document, switching among them seamlessly with lossless file compatibility.
"We are bringing the best of the Web to Windows, and the best of Windows to the Web," said Ray Ozzie, chief software architect at Microsoft. "From PC to the Web to the phone, and from the server to cloud, we are focused on enabling the creation of the next generation of user experiences that change the way we live, work and play."
Windows 7 Preview
Windows 7 is designed to make everyday tasks faster and easier, and make new things possible for end users. Windows 7 reflects an evolved approach to engineering that incorporates customer and partner feedback more closely into the development process. It will deliver innovative new features while focusing on application and device compatibility. With Windows 7, Microsoft is working to establish a more consistent and predictable release schedule so partners across the Windows ecosystem can easily and quickly build on the new capabilities Windows has to offer. When released to the market, Windows 7 will enable the following:
A Solid Foundation for Developers
Windows 7 is being designed to provide a solid platform to enable a new generation of solutions for Windows. Windows 7 will enable developers to be more productive and offers new capabilities to create more stunning applications. A new taskbar, Ribbon, destinations and shell integration enhance discoverability and usability for all applications. In addition, Internet Explorer 8, native Web services API and federated search enable developers to integrate the best of Windows and Web services.
"We are excited to be delivering a pre-beta developer release of Windows 7 today at PDC2008," said Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president of the Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group. "With our new approach to planning and development we now have a great foundation for our partners to start learning and innovating on this exciting new version of Windows."
In addition to Windows 7, PDC attendees received a pre-beta developer release of Windows Server 2008 R2, which will deliver many enhancements to Windows Server 2008, including live migration of virtual machines, power saving capabilities, and developer features to build and host next-generation applications and services.
Developers should go to msdn.microsoft.com/windows to learn more about developing for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
Extending Office Productivity on the Web
Separately, Microsoft announced that the next version of Microsoft Office will include Office Web applications that will help improve productivity and enhance the desktop experience by enabling people to access, create, edit, share and collaborate on Office documents across multiple devices.
"Microsoft supports diversity in work styles and understands that customers want choice and flexibility in how and where they work," said Stephen Elop, president of the Microsoft Business Division. "Microsoft is in a unique position to meet that customer need. Office enables people to view, edit, share information and collaborate on documents on the desktop, phone and in the browser, and do so in a consistent and familiar way."
Office Web applications for Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote will be available to individuals through Office Live, and to businesses though a hosted subscription and existing volume licensing programs. This new offering will be compatible with familiar Web browsers from Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari. Microsoft will release a private Technical Preview of Office Web applications later this year. In the meantime, customers interested in learning more about the upcoming beta availability are encouraged to sign up for Microsoft Office Live Workspace at workspace.officelive.com.
Live Services for Seamless Client-Cloud Experiences
Microsoft demonstrated many capabilities of the Live Services platform, including how developers can build rich applications and experiences that can be extended to over 400 million users of the company's Windows Live services such as Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger. Microsoft also emphasized that its Live Services platform is the means by which products such as Windows Live, Office Live and Xbox LIVE deliver experiences that span beyond the level of a single PC, mobile device or the Web, and that these same capabilities are now being offered to developers through its Live Services platform.
The company demonstrated many aspects of Live Services including Live Mesh. Live Mesh is a service for synchronizing any user's documents, media, files and application data across multiple PCs and devices, and is available as an open beta at mesh.com for Windows and Windows Mobile. At PDC2008, those same powerful synchronization capabilities of Live Mesh have for the first time been opened to developers through a Technology Preview of the Live Framework, enabling Web developers to extend their Web applications to a world of Windows-based PCs and extending their Web applications offline.
The Best of Web and Windows Development With Visual Studio and .NET
In terms of software development, Microsoft highlighted how it continues to help make it easy for developers to use their existing skills to build applications from the Web to the desktop, through both the recent Visual Studio 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 service packs, and the forthcoming Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 releases. Building on Monday's announcements that Visual Studio and the .NET Framework will make it easy for developers to create applications for the new Azure Services Platform, the company revealed that Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4 innovations will help developers build next-generation applications for Windows 7 and take advantage of new features in Windows 7, such as the Ribbon and support for multitouch enabled interfaces. Several other areas of improvements in Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 were shown, with a focus on Win32, C++, ASP.NET, Silverlight and Windows Presentation Foundation.
Source: Microsoft
Microsoft also demonstrated, for the first time, its new Web applications for Office, which are lightweight versions of Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote that are used from within standard Web browsers. The company showed how anyone can use all of the Web, phone, and PC versions of Office to edit the same rich document, switching among them seamlessly with lossless file compatibility.
"We are bringing the best of the Web to Windows, and the best of Windows to the Web," said Ray Ozzie, chief software architect at Microsoft. "From PC to the Web to the phone, and from the server to cloud, we are focused on enabling the creation of the next generation of user experiences that change the way we live, work and play."
Windows 7 Preview
Windows 7 is designed to make everyday tasks faster and easier, and make new things possible for end users. Windows 7 reflects an evolved approach to engineering that incorporates customer and partner feedback more closely into the development process. It will deliver innovative new features while focusing on application and device compatibility. With Windows 7, Microsoft is working to establish a more consistent and predictable release schedule so partners across the Windows ecosystem can easily and quickly build on the new capabilities Windows has to offer. When released to the market, Windows 7 will enable the following:
- Work the way you want. Windows 7 will deliver the fundamental performance, reliability and security features that people expect — and it is designed to be compatible with the same hardware, applications and device drivers as Windows Vista. New features will help protect privacy and data, make it easier to keep a PC running smoothly, and enable quicker recovery from problems.
- Make everyday tasks faster and easier. Windows 7 will streamline and simplify the tasks people do most often. Improved navigation, a new taskbar and a streamlined user interface put commonly used resources within easy reach. Sharing data across all PCs and devices will be easier at home, in the office or on the go. Windows 7 and Windows Live will help users stay connected to the people and things they care about, and Internet Explorer 8 will offer a faster, safer and more productive Web experience.
- Make new things possible. Windows 7 will offer more choice in how users interact with their PCs, such as through multitouch gestures. With Device Stage, Windows 7 enables people to get more from the devices they use most often with their PC, such as cameras, phones and printers. Windows 7 also will make it easier to use home audio-video systems and other networked media devices to play music, watch videos and display photos that reside on Windows-based PCs. And Windows 7 will offer more options than ever to customize and personalize Windows-based PCs with styles that match the user's personality.
A Solid Foundation for Developers
Windows 7 is being designed to provide a solid platform to enable a new generation of solutions for Windows. Windows 7 will enable developers to be more productive and offers new capabilities to create more stunning applications. A new taskbar, Ribbon, destinations and shell integration enhance discoverability and usability for all applications. In addition, Internet Explorer 8, native Web services API and federated search enable developers to integrate the best of Windows and Web services.
"We are excited to be delivering a pre-beta developer release of Windows 7 today at PDC2008," said Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president of the Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group. "With our new approach to planning and development we now have a great foundation for our partners to start learning and innovating on this exciting new version of Windows."
In addition to Windows 7, PDC attendees received a pre-beta developer release of Windows Server 2008 R2, which will deliver many enhancements to Windows Server 2008, including live migration of virtual machines, power saving capabilities, and developer features to build and host next-generation applications and services.
Developers should go to msdn.microsoft.com/windows to learn more about developing for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.
Extending Office Productivity on the Web
Separately, Microsoft announced that the next version of Microsoft Office will include Office Web applications that will help improve productivity and enhance the desktop experience by enabling people to access, create, edit, share and collaborate on Office documents across multiple devices.
"Microsoft supports diversity in work styles and understands that customers want choice and flexibility in how and where they work," said Stephen Elop, president of the Microsoft Business Division. "Microsoft is in a unique position to meet that customer need. Office enables people to view, edit, share information and collaborate on documents on the desktop, phone and in the browser, and do so in a consistent and familiar way."
Office Web applications for Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote will be available to individuals through Office Live, and to businesses though a hosted subscription and existing volume licensing programs. This new offering will be compatible with familiar Web browsers from Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari. Microsoft will release a private Technical Preview of Office Web applications later this year. In the meantime, customers interested in learning more about the upcoming beta availability are encouraged to sign up for Microsoft Office Live Workspace at workspace.officelive.com.
Live Services for Seamless Client-Cloud Experiences
Microsoft demonstrated many capabilities of the Live Services platform, including how developers can build rich applications and experiences that can be extended to over 400 million users of the company's Windows Live services such as Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger. Microsoft also emphasized that its Live Services platform is the means by which products such as Windows Live, Office Live and Xbox LIVE deliver experiences that span beyond the level of a single PC, mobile device or the Web, and that these same capabilities are now being offered to developers through its Live Services platform.
The company demonstrated many aspects of Live Services including Live Mesh. Live Mesh is a service for synchronizing any user's documents, media, files and application data across multiple PCs and devices, and is available as an open beta at mesh.com for Windows and Windows Mobile. At PDC2008, those same powerful synchronization capabilities of Live Mesh have for the first time been opened to developers through a Technology Preview of the Live Framework, enabling Web developers to extend their Web applications to a world of Windows-based PCs and extending their Web applications offline.
The Best of Web and Windows Development With Visual Studio and .NET
In terms of software development, Microsoft highlighted how it continues to help make it easy for developers to use their existing skills to build applications from the Web to the desktop, through both the recent Visual Studio 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 service packs, and the forthcoming Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 releases. Building on Monday's announcements that Visual Studio and the .NET Framework will make it easy for developers to create applications for the new Azure Services Platform, the company revealed that Visual Studio 2010 and the .NET Framework 4 innovations will help developers build next-generation applications for Windows 7 and take advantage of new features in Windows 7, such as the Ribbon and support for multitouch enabled interfaces. Several other areas of improvements in Visual Studio 2010 and .NET Framework 4 were shown, with a focus on Win32, C++, ASP.NET, Silverlight and Windows Presentation Foundation.
Source: Microsoft
User comments
You can find more information and screenshots of Windows 7 in a document (.docx) from Microsoft here:
http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Win7DeveloperGuide/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=1702
http://code.msdn.microsoft.com/Win7DeveloperGuide/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=1702
This is the 10,000th News Post for TechPowerUp! Hurrah!!
by: btarunr;1037178YAY! And it was mine! :p
This is the 10,000th News Post for TechPowerUp! Hurrah!!
Totally forgot about that.
Back on topic... is it just me or this the first screenshots we have had of the new desktop? Early alpha builds used the vista "skins". Looks quite nice, though I hope there is still the ability to adjust the colour.
by: btarunr;1037178woooooooooot lets get the cake and candles tpu is growing!!
This is the 10,000th News Post for TechPowerUp! Hurrah!!
i hope the look improves cause it looks a little rubbish tbh
by: chaotic_uk;1037188What are you talking about it looks almost Linux like! :cool:
i hope the look improves cause it looks a little rubbish tbh
I'll get it later today with any luck :)
by: chaotic_uk;1037188I like the clear, but is probably a bit blocky, the taskbar anyway. Not much seems to have changed in terms of the interface. We wont see what it is really going to look like until 2009 with the first full beta release :(
i hope the look improves cause it looks a little rubbish tbh
A fitting subject for a 10,000th news post. It's pre-beta, don't worry about the look.
I'm going to say it comes out at 10:10 am on September 30 in 2010 but thats just because on the first pic it shows that date and why would they have it set to that date and not like 10-28-08?? and also is it just me or does the first pic remind you of a mac with the weather, time and calender? but i cant wait
I hope they have a Vista theme.. I really don't like it..
I'm supposed to be impressed by these images?!?
WOW...micro$oft makes amazing icons that show pretty pictures....yawn :rolleyes:
WOW...micro$oft makes amazing icons that show pretty pictures....yawn :rolleyes:
It will probably come out on 9/30/2010.
So pretty....
For programs to get the "certified for Windows 7" logo thingy, they have to be compitable with 64 bit!
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=16080
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=16080
To obtain the logo the applicant must:
1. Include business and technical owners for all submissions
2. Opt in to receive communications from Microsoft about their products
3. Include a copy and license of the software for compatibility testing purposes
4. Along with Microsoft agree to a 30-90 day resolution policy for all issues identified in market with logo'd products
5. Ensure the application adheres to all policies and passes all requirements in this document
The software must adhere to the following policies:
1. Comply with Anti-spyware Coalition Guidelines
2. Do not modify WRP protected resources
3. Ensure ongoing quality
The software must meet the following requirements:
1. Install and uninstall cleanly
2. Install to the correct folders by default
3. Support x64 versions of Windows
4. Follow User Account Control (UAC) Guidelines
5. Do not load Services and Drivers in Safe Mode
6. Digitally Sign Files
7. Do not prevent an installation or application from launching because of OS version checking
8. Prevent unnecessary reboots
9. Support multiuser sessions
10. Minimise application failures
What are you people on about the looks? It's identical to Vista :D Only thing different in those pics is that sidebar is no more, sidebar gadgets just float on the desktop.
by: niko084;1037191that's what I was gonna say
What are you talking about it looks almost Linux like! :cool:
kde ftw! lol :slap:
by: OnBoard;1037411some of the bars are different, a tiny bit different
What are you people on about the looks? It's identical to Vista :D Only thing different in those pics is that sidebar is no more, sidebar gadgets just float on the desktop.
The bottom bar is different. RAGGGEEE
so how long till this gets leeked to torrents?
by: ShadowFold;1037587lol!
The bottom bar is different. RAGGGEEE
by: FudFighter;1037624already is
so how long till this gets leeked to torrents?
Microsoft devs "alright, so this version of windows will be ripped based off of Linux, starting with the concept of minimalism, moving to the GUI..."
can't wait :D
can't wait :D
vista looks better..
They Say there will be no major change under the hood. This all sounds like Vista rev2, what vista should have been in the first place...
by: Lillebror;1037408Ya, thats the best thing so far that i can see. Heck, they should make it 64bit only
For programs to get the "certified for Windows 7" logo thingy, they have to be compitable with 64 bit!
http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=16080
by: russianboy;1037654Not Linux, but I'd say KDE (a desktop environment that works on all Linux, Free BSD, Solaris, etc.)
Microsoft devs "alright, so this version of windows will berippedbased off of Linux, starting with the concept of minimalism, moving to the GUI..."
can't wait :D
by: buggalugs;1037746known as seal of approval, meaning it will work with Windows with the least amt of bugs (Sounds Ironic but thats the General Reason for the seal)
Ya, thats the best thing so far that i can see. Heck, they should make it 64bit only
Who cares how it looks? Vista is fine. It's sad that people do not base the merits of an OS on its core, but instead say, "It looks like (something)".
As a network admin and programmer, I honestly don't care what Windows 7 looks like.
I want to know if will make any difference to me in my network environment.
As a network admin and programmer, I honestly don't care what Windows 7 looks like.
I want to know if will make any difference to me in my network environment.
Supporting multi-user sessions is the big thing for me. I have dreamed of the day you could boot a thin client off a network share, to use resources available on the network or internet.
A small box that replaces the VCR, Cable, DVD, Bluray, etc.... boxes and runs your TV, accesses pictures, home movies, your music library, all without paying a arm and leg for another windows media center license so you can have five or six boxes in your home all reading from one.
A small box that replaces the VCR, Cable, DVD, Bluray, etc.... boxes and runs your TV, accesses pictures, home movies, your music library, all without paying a arm and leg for another windows media center license so you can have five or six boxes in your home all reading from one.
The number of people who care how the UI is, outnumbers those who don't.
by: Kreij;1037787CLI is still way more powerful than GUI, I agree. I too want more network power to be added.
Who cares how it looks? Vista is fine. It's sad that people do not base the merits of an OS on its core, but instead say, "It looks like (something)".
As a network admin and programmer, I honestly don't care what Windows 7 looks like.
I want to know if will make any difference to me in my network environment.
by: btarunr;1037795You are correct. All our machines at work use XP. At home I use Vista.
The number of people who care how the UI is, outnumbers those who don't.
I like Vista better, but not because of how it looks (although I do like it), but because it does more for me without effort than XP for what I do at home.
At work Vista would do no more for me than XP.
Same goes for my servers. I run Server 2003. The upgrade to 2008 is great for enterprise users who have massive network layouts, but for my flat work network it simply does not add any real value.
I agree with Steevo about the multi-user sessions, even though I don't use thin clients.
by: Kreij;1037803
You are correct. All our machines at work use XP. At home I use Vista.
I like Vista better, but not because of how it looks (although I do like it), but because it does more for me without effort than XP for what I do at home.
At work Vista would do no more for me than XP.
Same goes for my servers. I run Server 2003. The upgrade to 2008 is great for enterprise users who have massive network layouts, but for my flat work network it simply does not add any real value.
I agree with Steevo about the multi-user sessions, even though I don't use thin clients.
XP Pro will allow 3 user simultaneously, one console and two terminal, and share programs automatically. You ahve to replace a couple system files and edit the registry. Easy stuff to make it do what they originally intended it to, and still within the licanse agreement.
by: ShadowFold;1037223Indeed looks better than Xp even though that aint hard as Xp was always the mega ugly looking sister.
I hope they have a Vista theme.. I really don't like it..
Looks nice!
this one kill vista with cool blood
I didn't see this posted yet so here is a link to the full keynote:
http://www.microsoft.com/PressPass/SilverlightApps/videoplayer_3/standalone.aspx?xml=http://wm.istreamplanet.com/customers/ms/300_ms_pdc_081028.asx
http://www.microsoft.com/PressPass/SilverlightApps/videoplayer_3/standalone.aspx?xml=http://wm.istreamplanet.com/customers/ms/300_ms_pdc_081028.asx
meh... it looks ok... but it still is in its infancy so I'll wait until the beta release, loads of stuff is bound to change and more stuff added!
Yeah it will still be a while off so weel wait and see.
Had a distinct Vistaish look in previous screenies so evolving quickly.
Had a distinct Vistaish look in previous screenies so evolving quickly.
by: KainXS;1037559
some of the bars are different, a tiny bit different
by: ShadowFold;1037587A bit late reply, but yeah they are a bit different, but you get pretty close with unlocking the bottom bar and extending it to double hight and selecting view large icons. Not a revolution and hardly even evolution, but I have no complaints on Vista looks, so it's good they didn't do anything drastic.
The bottom bar is different. RAGGGEEE
Not so good thing (or maybe it is) is no DX11. IMO there is no hurry with DX11 anyways, first make DX10 work faster. Unless of course DX11 will be much faster than DX10 and not just on paper, but in reeality.
http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10203&Itemid=1
Dx11 will be much faster! And windows 7 have dx11 - just not until some later releases