Windows 7 Speculation Reaches Fever Pitch

Later today, Microsoft chief software architect Ray Ozzie will take the stage at the annual Microsoft Professional Developers' Conference in Los Angeles where he is expected to reveal more details about the highly anticipated Windows 7.

Ozzie is no Steve Jobs, but for Windows fans this is probably the most anxiously awaited announcement at the PDC2008. So what can we expect from Microsoft? Well, Ozzie is being joined by Steven Sinofsky, vice president for the Windows and Windows Live Engineering Group, which means we should get some more nitty gritty details about what's under the hood in Windows 7.

Here's a brief rundown of what we know about Windows 7 so far:

• Windows 7 will use the same kernel as Vista which means it probably won't require yet another hardware upgrade.
• Microsoft is dumping some desktop applications like a native e-mail client and photo editing software from Windows 7 in order to concentrate on developing the core OS features.
• The desktop apps will be replaced by web-based Windows Live equivalents, which signals a significant shift to web (also emphasized by the recent announcement of Azure).
• The endless permissions dialog boxes rampant in Vista have been scaled back.
• Vista's Desktop Search feature has been improved and will reportedly be much faster.
• The overall look of Windows 7 will be similar to Vista, but with refinements and speed improvements.

From what we know of Windows 7 so far, it looks like the OS will amount to a revamped and updated "take two" of Vista. Many are viewing the release as Microsoft's big chance to improve upon Vista's many stumbles, both as an operating system and as a business milestone. Vista, which was released to customers a year and a half ago, has been roundly criticized as a buggy and half-baked OS, with many a Microsoft customer choosing to stay with the older, yet more stable and user-friendly Windows XP rather than upgrade.

Hopefully Windows 7 will prove the Vista that Vista should have been. Be sure to check back later today when the official details are available.

See Also:

• Windows 7 Announcements Expected at Microsoft Developer Conference
• Windows 7 to Dump E-Mail, Photo Editing Software
• Windows 7 Will Be Less Annoying Than Vista
• Windows 7 Arriving Early, Microsoft to Show Off New OS on October 28
• Leaked Screenshots Reveal Windows 7 is Vista Refined