Microsoft on track to release Windows 7 multi-touch SDK in October

Microsoft may have only offered a glimpse of its promised multi-touch support in Windows 7 at D6 earlier this week, but the company apparently already has some of its longer term plans lined up, with it reportedly on track to release its multi-touch SDK at its Professional Developers' Conference in October of this year. Details on the SDK are otherwise expectedly light at the moment, however, with Microsoft only going so far as to say that its session at PDC will "highlight the new multi-touch gesture APIs and explain how you can leverage them in your applications."

[Via Tablet PC Talk]

[IT-Accountant @ May 29th 2008 1:27PM]

OK, so this may sound really stupid, but how is it that they can release an SDK for an operating system that isn't even in the alpha stages yet?

[clak @ May 29th 2008 1:31PM]

Uh, I don't know, because Apple did it? No, that's not possible. Forgive me for saying that.


The 9000 series is the most reliable computer ever made. No 9000 computer has ever made a mistake or distorted information. We are all, by any practical definition of the words, foolproof and incapable of error—HAL, 2001: A Space Odyssey

[The Dude @ May 29th 2008 1:39PM]

You're right, it did sound really stupid. It's essentially just an SDK for a new input method. Not really that big of a deal in terms of the OS's incomplete state.

[generally @ May 29th 2008 3:30PM]

As long as you have the APIs defined and implemented (and are not going to change), and you have a simulator which will work correctly with those APIs, then you're good to go.

[Andir3.0 @ May 29th 2008 3:49PM]

Because Windows 7 (excuse me, Vista SP2) is already built... they just have to give you a new interface color and call it a NEW OS!

[Jim Salabim @ May 29th 2008 1:30PM]

It's because Windows 7 is actually Vista with multitouch.

[retro77 @ May 29th 2008 1:32PM]

Yup. Changed the Start button and made the toolbar thicker for fingers. I bet they could release Windows 7 as a feature pack for those with a touch screen.

[Sora267 @ May 29th 2008 8:32PM]

They usually do the visual stuff LAST, and as far as I know, they've got another TWO YEARS until their projected release date of 2010. They've got time to change visuals.

[ChuChu @ May 29th 2008 1:32PM]

Am I the only one on this planet that finds touchscreens completely obnoxious in most applications?

Actually while I am ranting about newfangled input devices let me state for the record that I also have no interest in any device that involves ridiculous arm waving a la Minority Report either.

I think I must be getting old or something...

[ryan @ May 29th 2008 3:56PM]

maybe not completely obnoxious, but i can imagine my arms getting tired after some time of use. it just seems inconvenient to have to reach up at eye/shoulder level to get something done for any length of time. Occasional touchscreen use would be fine, but i wouldn't plan on getting rid of my mouse too quickly

[Pochi @ May 29th 2008 2:33PM]

You're not alone. If touchscreens came first and mice/keyboards were just arriving now, people would be decrying touchscreens as last year's tech.

Just because it's new, doesn't mean everybody should integrate it into everything.

[William @ May 29th 2008 8:09PM]

People moved from navigating on a keyboard to navigating with a mouse. Now I bet most can't even comprehend trying to navigate windows or mac os using just their keyboard.

The same will go for touch sensitive inputs. Eventually people will wonder how we did so much with only a single input mouse. New applications will be built and old applications will expand to give more control because of this new input option. The same happened when we moved from keyboard to mouse as a primary input mechanism.

Of course this wont happen overnight. I'm not saying the mouse is going away, just as the keyboard has not gone away. But new ways of performing actions is starting to emerge for the mass market. This is the first step for the mass market, having an OS capable of accepting these new inputs.

[weeee @ May 29th 2008 1:36PM]

With this much lead time there are sure to be some great products built for this new OS.

I can't wait to see what all those different hardware manufacturers come up with to incorporate touch screens running windows 7.

[Keith MacDonald @ May 29th 2008 1:57PM]

I imagine they said much the same thing for Vista, given the gigantic lead time that joke of a product had.

I wouldn't hold your breath ;) ...

[Ryan Trevisol @ May 29th 2008 1:36PM]

Will the SDK explain why we need Multi-touch on anything larger than a small tablet PC?

[ugh @ May 29th 2008 1:42PM]

Your imagination should supply those answers. You don't want Microsoft dictating how we should use this new OS.

[Ryan Trevisol @ May 29th 2008 2:10PM]

Sorry, Mr. Ballmer, that just doesn't fly. (I'm assuming you're the Monkey Boy himself, as your logic is just about as impenetrable as his).

It's your job to SELL ME YOUR PRODUCT. If you can't give me any more impetus to use multitouch than maneuvering windows, photos, and videos around, then your product is useless in the real world. And it's not impressive, either. Some kid did the same thing about a month ago with a rear-projection TV and a digital projector. I shouldn't have to provide my own justification for buying the product. If all Windows 7 adds is multi-touch, then you better have some pretty awesome ideas for how it's going to make me happy before I buy it.

Maybe my imagination is limited, but I can't imagine any real-world uses for multitouch that would make my computing experience any more productive, intuitive, or friendly. Can YOU? You've been going around engadget blaming people who down Windows 7 for having no imagination. Let's hear YOUR awesome ideas.

I've admitted that this kind of technology could make for great light table applications for doing layouts for print media, but that's about all I can think of.

So while that's cool, the only feature of Windows 7 that's been touted so far is multi-touch. Whoop-de-doo. That's not the breakthrough it's being made out to be.

Honestly, Flip 3d is a cooler and more useful feature than multi-touch.

I don't even find multitouch that useful on the iPhone. You zoom with it, sure, and you can play NES because of it, but it doesn't really extend the functionality dramatically from normal touchscreens.

[Bob @ May 29th 2008 2:23PM]

Ryan, your post really does make you sound like a man without an imagination if all you can come up with is table applications for doing layouts. That's just sad.

I can think of a lot of uses for touch screen interfaces. I'm not going to list them so unimaginative people like you can steal my good product ideas.

[rlynd3 @ May 29th 2008 2:30PM]

dude... wtf?

How can advancing the future of computing to include multi-touch as another input option be a bad thing? even if right now the main use is to flip through photos.

BTW - MT has some very promising implementations in the scientific community when it comes to navigating complex 3d structures. or when manipulating a map, or in a kiosk environment, or in...

Come on dude pull your thumb from your ass and use it to re-size your ego.

[Ryan Trevisol @ May 29th 2008 2:43PM]

Well I see ugh/Johnny/bob has figured out how to change his user name. marvelous.

I never said it wasn't a good thing. But I just agree with the many other commenters here who believe that there's just not that much use for it in real-life application, and I find it a major blunder that they are using it as the major selling point for windows 7.

That doesn't make me egotistical, maybe just old-fashioned. I just don't think we're at the point where we need computers to behave like LCARS.

[William @ May 29th 2008 3:16PM]

Its not a major blunder that Microsoft is using touch interface as a major windows 7 selling point. Its the same selling point Apple used with the iPod Touch and iPhone. Without the touch interface it really isn't that revolutionary.

A major blunder would be Microsoft not incorporating TS interface into Windows when we all know Apple will have a TS interface in their upcoming OS releases. People would bash Microsoft if they didn't plan for the future of computing interfaces.

There are countless possibilities for touch screen interfaces. You just need to stop thinking of your computer in the same fashion that is it today (with a keyboard in front of you, mouse to the side and a monitor vertically placed at a distance).

When the Wii came out many people didn't get it until they started playing games. Gaming enthusiasts didn't see the departure from a controller. Now people are thinking up uses beyond the Wii for the technology.

[conor @ May 29th 2008 3:14PM]

minwin curnell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Teetdogs @ May 29th 2008 3:24PM]

For starters, this is not going to be the only new feature to windows 7 and I assume that you are aware of that, the reason this was demo'd so early was that it is more of the ohh and ahhhh feature of windows 7 and probably the most polished and ready for show. And for the most part I agree the uses are kinda impractical on but int he next few years who knows what new stuff will emerge, I think that is why they are releasing the SDK because as of right now there aren't really that many uses but I'm sure software companies and individuals will be comming out with much more software that will have use for multitouch. I personally can think of one cool application and that would be for PACS imaging, That way when doctors are looking at PACS images they can be interactive.

[macserv @ May 29th 2008 3:48PM]

Based on the amount of really awesome tech that got cut from Longhorn to ship Vista, I'll believe W7 will have "other new features" when I see them ship.

[FrankTheCrank @ May 29th 2008 3:49PM]

Be prepared to throw out your current 20"+ LCD monitor and trade up to a touch screen enabled monitor.

Ahhh....nothing like buying something that you absolutely don't need.

[Doggabone @ May 29th 2008 5:02PM]

I'd want a horizontal surface to use this a lot, but I'd still use it vertically. However, if a stylus with it's pad can replace a mouse, why can't a future peripheral replace a multi-touch screen? (There was once a multi-touch mouse & gesture pad on the market, Apple bought them out a few years ago - "http://www.fingerworks.com/ - and has a few patent filings based on their technology already.)

I wouldn't use mulit-touch on my monitors as they are set now, but I would set one into my desk if it had a multi-touch surface. Or, I'd just get a second flat monitor and mirror it to my system. Or, I'd live without - hey, I live without now so no biggie. But if I could set it up, this would be great.

OLED multi-touch peripheral anybody?

That means that everything I use a mouse for, I could use a touch interface for. I'd get the most benefit from multi-touch (versus a stylus or mouse) for:

Visual Design (Photoshop, Dreamweaver))
Digital Audio Workstation (Pro Tools)
Spreadsheets (Excel)
File Management (Windows Explorer)
Gaming

Add gestures and single point touch to the mix, you can add pretty much application on my computer. It'd be worth it just to be able to do all the old mouse things without having to grip a mouse. A mouse is endurable now, but no mouse is even more so. Much depends on implementation - if the multi-touch is thwarted by my wrist grazing the surface, for example, it will quickly be too annoying to use.

About the only thing that it wouldn't replace is my keyboard. No, not for everybody, but I can think of a huge number of ways I would use it, depending obviously on how good the implementation is.

[Gingerbread Man @ May 29th 2008 1:37PM]

Umm...so let me get this straight. Aside from many other Vista problems people experienced along with compatibility issues. They are going to release a Microsoft 7 thats touch screen??!! Thus making my current monitors "incompatible." No thanks.

I have friends that have huge flat screens on the wall for use as a Tv and for their pc's...that would be fun to watch them stand on their toes to drag an icon to the recycling bin. Way to go, thats what upset microsoft users really want...a touch screen...good job.

[john g @ May 29th 2008 1:56PM]

Microsoft wasn't content to render your CPU, hard drive, RAM, and video card obsolete with each Windows release. Now, you'll need a new monitor too!

[Johnny @ May 29th 2008 1:46PM]

Your lack of imagination is obvious. I guess you would rather wait for Apple to release a product and tell you how to use it. Then I bet you will praise a touch screen OS.

I for one look forward to innovative new devices from many manufacturers that can incorporate a more intuitive interface.

[Miguel @ May 29th 2008 2:08PM]

Ginger, its not like adding touch interface capability is going to make your friends keyboard and mouse obsolete. You should read the links and watch the videos before you comment. You aren't forced to use the touch interface in Windows 7. Your friends can stick with their mouse and keyboard.

Touchscreen capability is just another input device option people will have if they buy the hardware to support it. Eventually we will see more touch screen input devices and Microsoft will be ready to support them with Windows 7 and future Operating Systems.

[Godskitchen @ May 29th 2008 2:14PM]

If your friends would have to stand on their tip toes to reach their TV then they have it too high.

Flat panels are designed to be viewed at eye height. Your friends are Muppets.

I of course take all this back if your friends happen to be dwarfs.

[Reader @ May 29th 2008 3:40PM]

Yes Ginger, they are forcing the entire world to switch over to touch screens only. Are you really that stupid?

[Joachim Bengtsson @ May 29th 2008 1:39PM]

I really hope this also means,
"Apple on track to release Mac OS X 10.6 multi-touch SDK in June"

:P

Seriously though, this is really a wonderful step in the right direction. Hopefully they've taken this opportunity to make a fresh start with an API that isn't held back by decades of backward compatibility, like they could have done with .NET. But, since it's Microsoft we're talking about, I'm not keeping my hopes up :(

[bob e @ May 29th 2008 1:40PM]

Imagine watching a porn movie where you can multi-touch and zoom your way into detailed points of interest. Especially useful for the 3-way action.

I think the porn industry would jump on this SDK. I hope to be attending the PDC this Fall if I can get my company to pay.

[Starvine @ May 29th 2008 1:42PM]

Finally an application I can get behind! I'm done watching people pinch and pull pictures of their golden retrievers.

[Keith MacDonald @ May 29th 2008 1:50PM]

...and here we have arrived at what it has come to for poor, sad Microsoft: catering to the porn industry.

[Adrian Williams @ May 29th 2008 8:23PM]

Bob you win the internets

[wetworker @ May 29th 2008 1:43PM]

This looks intresting imagine using a wacom tablet as well as my mouse
in illustrator or photohop.

[nebulus @ May 29th 2008 1:46PM]

Screw a proprietary closed source SDK for a single platform and go download touchlib now!!

Open source multi-platform, and with a large talkative and welcoming user forum!

http://www.nuigroup.com/

[phanbouy @ May 29th 2008 2:05PM]

sshhhh!!! we can't quell the flame wars, where would the post count go?

[Jim Salabim @ May 29th 2008 1:53PM]

This multi-touch is going to do wonders for porn sites but not much else.

[as400 @ May 29th 2008 2:15PM]

I think watching all that porn has squashed your imagination. There may be some great uses in the Adult indistry but I hope you can see all the uses in the outside world.

Just as a laptop is useful for more than being a "porn mahine" the interface uses for touch screen OS are just as endless.

[Vic the One @ May 29th 2008 3:23PM]

@as400

"Just as a laptop is useful for being more than a porn machine..."

It is?! Wow, I guess it just never occurred to me to use it for anything else...

[miro @ May 29th 2008 2:10PM]

I think it's interesting that so many people are discounting this as useless.

I look at it very much like Gestures... very popular add-on for Firefox (I think Safari and IE have versions as well). There's a huge opportunity to simplify computing and reduce repetitive stress by eliminating clicks and replaceing them with simple curves and other motions.

Being able to rest your hand on a desk surface and control the action with a few simple swipes? It's something that I personally am looking forward to.

[Keith MacDonald @ May 29th 2008 2:37PM]

And who, other than geeks & eccentrics, use browser mouse gestures?

[Ross Wehner @ May 29th 2008 6:45PM]

Has microsoft ever delivered a product on time? (i'll give you a hint... no)

[Alex Padilla @ May 29th 2008 2:11PM]

I simply cannot wait for Windows 7. I converted from XP to Tiger/Leopard in lieu of Vista, but I am most certainly willing to switch back to Windows if 7 is what it's supposed to be. Multi-touch interface? Voice recognition? Oh boy.

[Ordeith @ May 29th 2008 2:21PM]

Voice recognition is fully supported in Vista.

[scjessey @ May 29th 2008 2:11PM]

I see multi-touch screens being a boon for Tablet PC users (all 4 of them), but certainly not for regular desktops and lappies. Horizontal surfaces are okay, but you're going to need some kind of exoskeleton support for vertical surfaces or you're going to get some SERIOUS arm ache.

[wrabbit @ May 29th 2008 2:20PM]

To all the multi-touch nay-sayers, there's nothing wrong w/ MS making their OS compatible with it. Whether next year or in 3 years, multi-touch is gonna hit desktops - sure not all apps will get much benefit from it, but some will. What I find ridiculous in this whole thing is that that's the big Win7 selling point they're using. If I can't find a reason to upgrade to vista, I sure as hell not gonna upgrade to vista + multi-touch.

How about some real OS improvements - DB-driven file system (which was suppose to be in vista anyway), a robust back-up system, proper search functions, things that improve OS overall not just how you interact with it.