Windows 7’s Killer Application: Multi-Touch?
The buzz surrounding Windows 7, slated to debut October 22, is generally positive. But where are the killer applications for Microsoft's new operating system? The VAR Guy finally saw one: It's called SpaceClaim 3D Direct Modeling, and it features multi-touch capabilities. Is this a sign of things to come?
The buzz surrounding Windows 7, slated to debut October 22, is generally positive. But where are the killer applications for Microsoft’s new operating system? The VAR Guy finally saw one: It’s called SpaceClaim 3D Direct Modeling, and it features multi-touch capabilities. Is this a sign of things to come?
Never heard of multi-touch? Sure you have. Check out an Apple iPhone or Microsoft Surface — where manipulating icons and images with your fingers is the norm. Soon, similar touch-driven technology will debut in Windows 7. And it’s a safe bet PC makers will debut Windows 7 desktops and portables that leverage multi-touch capabilities.
Still skeptical? Check out this SpaceClaim multi-touch demonstration:
Pretty slick. And yes, SpaceClaim plans to support Windows 7’s multi-touch capabilities.
Admittedly, multi-touch isn’t a requirement for all PC and mobile users. But it’s easy to imagine vertical-market scenarios (insurance, engineering, sales, health care) where VARs promote multi-touch applications to their customers.
Apple’s Next Move
Still, Microsoft and PC vendors apparently won’t be alone in the market. There’s growing speculation that Apple will unveil a Tablet sometime between September and December 2009. If true, it’s a safe bet the Apple Tablet will feature multi-touch.
Meanwhile, the Linux crowd has its own multi-touch plans:
Competition continues to drive innovation. The VAR Guy will be watching closely as Microsoft lines up ISVs (independent software vendors) to focus on Windows 7 multi-touch applications.
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I am not a follower of Killer Apps. The concept of Killer Applications is the stupidest thing any software developer can do, specially in this tight economy. For example, I still run Windows XP, despite Windows 7 being out there. 75% of all my programs, including my business productivity programs do not run on Windows 7, all of my devices does not have drivers for Windows 7.
The only accomplishments a killer application can do to me is make me dump Microsoft all together and adopt Linux (specifically Fedora Core) since Linux has 100% support of my current hardware and Windows 7 dont.
And finally, as far as I am concerned, there is no such thing as a “Killer App” because if some one comes up with a “application that is so good that justifies upgrading to a crappy platform”, I am pretty sure the Free Software Community (amongst other pay-for software manufacturer) will have a similar product with similar functionality that supports at least Windows XP as minimum, to Linux as well.
I dont care how good the killer app software might look like, or how attractive or how well designed it may appear to look, if its a KILLER APP, its trash in front of my eyes and an abomination to the computer world.
FranciscoNET: Fair points. In many cases there’s good reason to “stick with what you have.” But from time to time The VAR Guy does believe in a killer app. A prime example is the App Store for the iPhone… More of a killer destination than a killer app. But the App Store certainly gave the iPhone yet another leg up on rivals when it debuted.