CrystalXP.net

A year after unveiled tactile features of Windows 7, Microsoft presented at All Things Digital conference their Touch Pack for Windows 7.

In order to emphasise the multi-touch technology in Windows 7, Microsoft introduce a pack of six applications, inspired from Surface and optimized for Windows 7.


Through this pack, containing three applications Microsoft Surface and three games, Microsoft show the different capabilities of multi-touch in Windows 7 and try to arouse envy of users and software publishers.

On the menu of these applications that you will manipulate with your fingers, we find :

Microsoft Surface Globe which uses the Virtual Earth 3D engine to display a 3D version of the world : we can naviguate to different regions, get local information...



Microsoft Surface Collage to take your favorite digital photos, arrange and resize them



Microsoft Surface Laggon, an interactive screensaver



Microsoft Blackboard, a puzzle game of physics : a virtual blackboard where you should create a machine to move balloons and balls toward the light bulbs



Microsoft Rebound, a game balls



Microsoft Garden Pond to learn the art of origami



A pack reserved to Windows 7 PC that supports multi-touch, and which initially will be offered to OEM. They will have the option to pre-install some, none, or all of the applications available in the Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7 on PCs designed for Windows Touch (PCs that meet the logo requirements for Windows Touch).

Then, after general availability of Windows 7, Microsoft will look at making the Microsoft Touch Pack for Windows 7 even more broadly available based on feedback from customers and partners.
But it remains to be seen if it will be free or paid ?

So, wait and see !