A lot of things in Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system was made of touch functionality, but the fingertip Windows experience did not able to capture the imagination of either developers or end users.
“Perhaps in an effort to encourage more of the world’s 90+ million Windows 7 customers to literally get their finger out, the software giant has this week announced that its Windows 7 Touch Pack is now freely available to everyone and anyone.
First announced in May 2009 as an OEM-only bundle for multi-touch-certified PCs, the Touch Pack consists of six applications designed to demonstrate what a touchscreen has to offer to the Windows environment.
The six apps – Surface Globe, Surface Collage, Surface Lagoon, Blackboard, Rebound and Garden Pond – are for the most part ported from Microsoft’s Surface device and with an emphasis on eye candy offer little in terms of real-world functionality.
Commenting on the release, Microsoft spokesperson Brandon LeBlanc said:
“Due to feedback and requests from both partners and customers, we are releasing the Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7 for anyone with Windows Touch capable devices to download.”
“If you have a Windows 7 PC or a multitouch monitor that supports Windows Touch in Windows 7, the Touch Pack for Windows 7 is a good way for you to be able to truly test the multitouch investments we’ve made in Windows 7.”
Whilst its biggest competitors continue to reap the benefits of multi-touch success, it seems Microsoft is still struggling to capture its slice of the touchscreen pie and may now need to turn its attention to its other touch-enabled operating system; Windows Phone 7, due on portable devices later this year.
The Windows 7 Touch Pack is available to download at Microsoft.com.”
{ via Hexus.net }
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