Microsoft has shown an early version of Windows 7 - the follow up to Vista. Under the hood the new Windows reports itself as Version 6.1 (Vista is 6.0). The core architecture is the same, and microsoft claims evething that runs on Vista will also run on Windows 7.

There are nevertheless numerous new features. The most obvious is the revamped taskbar, which has larger icons, full-screen preview and a new quick menu for each application, called a jump list, which gives immediate access to commonly used features. The sidebar has now gone and gadgets now appear on the desktop.

Multitouch support, similiar to Apple's iPhone lets you drive Windows PC's with your fingers, moving objects with gestures.

A new sensor programming interface (API) offers standardised support for devices that report location, movement, sound, light and other inputs, paving the way for PC's that respond to their environment. Microsoft has also created a Device Stage window, which allows makers of phones, cameras and other devices to create custom screens that appear automatically on connection.

Home networking has been streamlined, media sharing easier, and Windows is smarter about supporting both work and home networks on a single laptop. Wordpad, Paint , Calculator acquire numerous new statistical and scientific features.

Microsoft has also worked on the system tray, which gets overcrowed. In Window 7 users can cutomise this with a single click and suppress unwanted messages.

The new Windows 7 is meant to deliver better performance on the same hardware. Users are likely to enjoy this release, even though it is low-key in terms of features. The date of release is October 22, 2209, from £49.99.

Minimum PC requirements are: 1GHz 32-bit processor; 1GB RAM; 16GB available for hard drive; Direct X9 graphics card.

Cheers Mark Bower

Director, NextWave.IT Ltd

www.nextwaveit.biz

enquiry@nextwaveit.biz