Smarter Geek

Last week Microsoft revealed the Windows 8 UI at the D9 conference that showed off a “Touch First” UI. Since then a lot of people have been saying that having a “Touch First” UI is going to be good for tablets but what about Desktop or normal laptops that are not touch devices.

I then remember the video that Microsoft showed a few months of their new Microsoft Touch Mouse and remember there were some striking similarities between the two videos.

Task Switching

In this video Previewing Windows 8 you are shown how to task switch “you just take you thumb.. from the side and just swipe it in”.

In this video about the Microsoft Touch Mouse the commentator says “One can use a thumb to move back and forwards in a web page or a browser”.

As you can see even though one is switching images/documents and the other is switching apps teh action itself is very similar.

Snapping Windows

Again the Microsoft Touch Mouse video shows how “One can snap them side by side for easy comparison.”

And here the Windows 8 vide they “with one simple gesture you can snap one app next to another app."

Again the similarities are quite striking between the actions…

Touch Trails

Another similarity i noticed between the two videos was the use of touch trails…

Image below shows two touch points shown on screen with the Microsoft Touch Mouse Video.

This is a similar touch line shown on in the Windows 8 Video.

What is clear is if Microsoft is going to be pushing a “Touch First” UI then they need to touch enable as many existing non-touch computers as possible with the Microsoft Touch Mouse or other similar mice.

It will also be interesting to see if Microsoft sells a “Windows 8 with Microsoft Touch Mouse” SKU similar to how they sold Office 2000 Premium with IntelliMouse Pro so they enable a touch experience for as many people as possible…

Intel and Dell have just shown off the new Atom based dual core (N550) networks with a horizontal swivelling screen that converts the laptop into a slate form factor.

The new Dual core Atom processor means that the device has much better performance and can handle play back of HD video without the battery drain.

This new design looks really great and make me wounder why no one thought of this before. Personally I think windows running on a device of this form factor is going to be fantastic and ideally suited for Windows based devices…. I can definitely see this replacing my iPad.

Check out the videos below:

Source Dell’s Atom-powered Inspiron Duo: 10-inch netbook / tablet hybrid with a crazy swivel and Dell Sparta Atom N550 convertible tablet at IDF 2010

In the past couple of days a few new PC products have been appearing on the shelf just in time for Christmas. If you are wondering what to buy that computer geek in your life then below are a few gift ideas:

Bamboo Input Device

This is a really good way to touch enabled you desktop computer with out having to replace your monitor. I recently bought a Dell 21.5” Multi-touch monitor and while the screen it self is very nice having a touch interface on a traditional sit down desktop computer is just not very practical as you quicker get tired arms and you are forever pressing in the wrong sport because you can see where you are touching because your finger in are in the way. Well i reckon this is a much better (and cheaper way) to touchify your computer… The Bamboo Touch does supports Windows 7 but also support Vista and XP so this should please pretty much any Windows PC user. However to really take advantage of the touch input Windows 7 is recommended.

You can buy it now from Harvey Normal for $99.95

See Bamboo Touch for more information

Microsoft LifeCam Cinema

If you are like me and you now use Skype to call you family and friends when you are away for work then you will know how frustrating it is to only be able to see them via a really grainy image. Well Microsoft have now released the LifeCam Cinema (a.k.a. Microsoft HD Web Cam) that will transmit 720p 30fps video (depending on bandwidth). This has only just

Get it now from Harvey Norman for $169.95

See LifeCam Cinema for more information

Windows 7 Family Pack

Now if you have a geek that you want to buy something for it is very likely that they have more than one PC in their home so all this is defiantly the deal for them. This limited time offer give you three licences of Windows 7 Home Premium for $247 total. Which works out to be $83 per copy or a massive 51% off the RRP of a single copy. Also this is a limited time offer so definitely buy it soon as they have just stopped selling it in the USA so i expect this offer will only last until January at the latest.

Get it now from OfficeWorks for $247.00

See Windows 7 Family Pack Limited Pilot now Available in Australia for more information.

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