The 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show debuted Wednesday with Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer’s endorsement of PCs and a sneak preview of the company's future Windows 7 operating system. Despite Vista’s not so very good reviews, Microsoft managed to convince us all that the next Windows version is something we should actually be exited about.
Moreover Mr. Ballmer announced that a beta, or test, version of the new operating system will be available to the public this Friday. The preview version will be at
Microsoft.com/windows7, but the final release is still nearly a year away.
Despite the fact that some observers had also expected Ballmer to announce the ship date for Windows 7, which would have certainly added more excitement to the keynote, but that didn't happen. Instead Ballmer focused on the convergence of "the three screens;” that is PCs, phones, and the TV, as well as the cloud. "They're evolving into a seamless ecosystem," Ballmer said, adding that computers will soon, "in the next couple of years, be able to hear you and see you. Screens and displays will literally be everywhere and PCs, phones, TVs, and other devices will become a single experience," he added.
A Group Project Manager, Charlotte Jones, was on hand to walk the audience through all Windows 7's hottest features. At the same time, a list of the minimum system requirements was provided in order for people who run the beta. They call for a 1GHz processor (32- or 64-bit), 1GB of main memory, 16GB of available disk space, support for DX9 graphics with 128MB of memory (for the Aero interface), and a DVD-R/W drive. Nevertheless these requirements are likely to change a bit.
All in all, while Windows 7 is architecturally remarkably similar to Vista, Microsoft's focus has been on providing users with in essence a cleaner, more intuitive, and prettier interface.
Ballmer will also discuss Windows Live. In addition to the global PC deal with Dell and the five year U.S. deal with Verizon Wireless, Microsoft has expanded its relationship with Facebook to allow users to see within their Windows Live homepage certain of their buddies' Facebook updates. The company is also stripping the beta tag off many of its Web-based and downloadable Windows Live products.
In gaming, Microsoft will launch two new versions in its Halo series. First is Halo Wars, the first incarnation of the game intended to have a Teen rating. It was described as more of a strategy game than an outright first-person shooter. It will hit stores in late February. Following it this year will be Halo 3 ODST. An exact release date was not given. Pricing for both games was not mentioned.
Ballmer also announced that Microsoft has formed a partnership with Verizon Wireless to add Live Search tools to all Verizon smart phones in the U.S.
