Microsoft has unveiled their latest operating system called Windows 8, designed from ground-up for touch screens in phones, tablets, PCs – and much more. Microsoft demonstrated the touch functionality on a 82-inch display with 100 simultaneous touch points.

Windows 8 designed for touch
A few years ago we predicted that touch screens would become one of the biggest trends of the future (article only available on Danish FlatpanelsDK). Today this is very much true and touch screens are utilized in almost every smartphone and tablet today.


Windows 8 has been designed for touch screen from ground up

Windows 8 is a little late to the ball but Microsoft has thought a lot about the new world order where touch screens rule. Windows 7 was the first to really support touch technology but with Windows 8, Microsoft has a much grander plan.


With Windows 8 Microsoft wants to offer a great touch experience on handheld devices

Touch screens are not expected to replace the mouse or keyboard but offer a supplement. Microsoft believes that touch gestures are essential and has incorporated a range of gestures that enables users to easily control the OS. By pulling, dragging and swiping fingers in different directions you can control simple and advanced commands, Microsoft claims.


Windows 8 was demonstrated on a 82-inch display with 100 simultaneous touch points

Microsoft demonstrated Windows 8 on a range of devices, including a 82-inch touch display developed by Perceptive Pixel. The display is rather unique because it supports up to 100 simultaneous touch points when combined with Windows 8. In other words; 10 people can use Windows 8 on the same display – at the same time.

Windows 8 opens up a lot of touch scenarios, and Microsoft has taken a completely new route compared to previous Windows versions. It certainly seems evident that touch technology will become even more widely used in the future. It took off with Apple’s handheld devices, later with Android and now with Windows 8 in completely new contexts.

And if you have time you can see the entire Windows 8 presentation here (90 minutes long).

- Source: Microsoft, Engadget.com