I was just looking at the screenshots posted on the Microsoft site of the Windows Vista Beta 1 and some things popped out at me:
* There appear to be several changes to the windows frame that are going to benefit us Tableteers. For example, if you look at this screenshot of a window, you can see that the the minimize, maximize, close buttons are now extra wide–read that easier to tap with a stylus. (Ever had problems tapping on the close button of a maximized window on some Tablets?) Plus it appears that the edges of the frame are a little thicker by default. That’s nice too. It should make the windows easier to grab and resize with a stylus.
* Search in Start menu. I love this. Two things: Now if only there was a way to drive the search incrementally with handwritten letters. And does this mean custom desktop search preview formats will be supported (bottom-left of window)? Hmmm. One more thing for me to find out at PDC 05.
Of course, this is just a beta version of Windows Vista–so who knows what the final product will look like, but this is encouraging.
Here’s a some more details from the Microsoft site on what to expect in Windows Vista. Some tidbits: Lots of security and manageability stuff listed and also quicker startup and improved sleep state.
There’s also this blurb:
“Networked projection for mobile PCs. Windows Vista will make it easier for users to connect a mobile PC to a projector over a network to display a presentation, or to share a presentation with nearby PCs. The networked projection feature allows a Windows Vista-based computer to detect nearby PCs or projectors and establish a connection through a network, regardless of whether the network is wired or wireless, ad hoc or part of a corporate infrastructure.”
Now we’re talking. Ad hoc sharing. This is the type of thing that will make Tablets (and notebooks) sing. User scenarios are changing. It’s not just about the desktop–it’s about communication and sharing. Good to see. It’s a glimpse of a flexibly connected future.
That image is scaled up. The buttons don’t look wider to me, in fact they look like half the height of the current buttons which will probably make them harder to hit.
And as for window frames, you could always adjust the size of those elements anyway.
I’m REALLY REALLY trying hard to find a reason to want Longhorn.
Oh sorry and I hate to find another negative thing to post (no, really I do!) but Search in start?? Why? It’s one click now (on the taskbar) now they’re making it two?
The networked access to a projector sounds very exciting. I’m looking forward to the tablet features, too.