Win7 Touch: Innovative, but Likely Limited

Among the more publicized points of Microsoft's highly-anticipated operating system Windows 7 is the touchscreen technology. But there's some debate about how much impact it will have on the majority of user experiences.

There's no doubt that touchscreen technology has been boosted in the past few years thanks to cellphones and other portable devices. Many people who'd previously seen a touchscreen as futuristic and unrealistic will have become regular touch users through the likes of the iPhone.

As reported in March, Microsoft revised the touchscreen technology of Windows 7 to make it easier to use. However, even with the new revisions, testers found only 90 per cent of gestures were correctly recognized.

Win7 Touchscreen Laptops Already On Sale

Despite some hiccups, Lenovo has now released its first wave of Windows 7 laptops, including the T400 which boasts touchscreen technology. It allows users to drag and drop files, folders and menus on-screen with their fingertips rather than manipulating them with the touchpad or mouse.

Early reviews say it works reasonably well, though the finger has to be pointing directly at the screen to get the right response. That said, the touch controls for Windows 7, rather than applications themselves, appear to be more window dressing than a genuine usability revolution. (Source: cnet.com)

Touchscreen Use Likely Limited

Those who've tested the Windows 7 technology with desktop touchscreen monitors say it is inherently limited. Unlike a device such as the iPhone which is specifically programmed to be controlled by touch, Windows 7 uses it as an add-on feature. As much as Microsoft has tried to adapt the system to cope with touch inputs, it can't compete with a system specifically designed for touch, as is the case with the iPhone. (Source: infoworld.com)

There are also potential ergonomic problems. Whereas a cellphone or PDA (personal digital assistant) is designed for brief periods of use, held relatively close to the user, a computer is usually used for longer periods, and a monitor tends to be located a couple of feet away. Both of these factors risk making repeated touchscreen use physically uncomfortable.

The biggest issue however is that there still isn't much software designed for touchscreen use. That may be difficult to resolve as users won't buy touchscreen devices unless there is something to do with them, and designers won't make the effort until there's a big enough audience.