The buzz surrounding Windows 7, slated to debut October 22, is generally positive. But where are the killer applications for Microsoft’s new operating system? The VAR Guy finally saw one: It’s called SpaceClaim 3D Direct Modeling, and it features multi-touch capabilities. Is this a sign of things to come?
Never heard of multi-touch? Sure you have. Check out an Apple iPhone or Microsoft Surface — where manipulating icons and images with your fingers is the norm. Soon, similar touch-driven technology will debut in Windows 7. And it’s a safe bet PC makers will debut Windows 7 desktops and portables that leverage multi-touch capabilities.
Still skeptical? Check out this SpaceClaim multi-touch demonstration:
Pretty slick. And yes, SpaceClaim plans to support Windows 7′s multi-touch capabilities.
Admittedly, multi-touch isn’t a requirement for all PC and mobile users. But it’s easy to imagine vertical-market scenarios (insurance, engineering, sales, health care) where VARs promote multi-touch applications to their customers.
Apple’s Next Move
Still, Microsoft and PC vendors apparently won’t be alone in the market. There’s growing speculation that Apple will unveil a Tablet sometime between September and December 2009. If true, it’s a safe bet the Apple Tablet will feature multi-touch.
Meanwhile, the Linux crowd has its own multi-touch plans:
Competition continues to drive innovation. The VAR Guy will be watching closely as Microsoft lines up ISVs (independent software vendors) to focus on Windows 7 multi-touch applications.
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I am not a follower of Killer Apps. The concept of Killer Applications is the stupidest thing any software developer can do, specially in this tight economy. For example, I still run Windows XP, despite Windows 7 being out there. 75% of all my programs, including my business productivity programs do not run on Windows 7, all of my devices does not have drivers for Windows 7.
The only accomplishments a killer application can do to me is make me dump Microsoft all together and adopt Linux (specifically Fedora Core) since Linux has 100% support of my current hardware and Windows 7 dont.
And finally, as far as I am concerned, there is no such thing as a “Killer App” because if some one comes up with a “application that is so good that justifies upgrading to a crappy platform”, I am pretty sure the Free Software Community (amongst other pay-for software manufacturer) will have a similar product with similar functionality that supports at least Windows XP as minimum, to Linux as well.
I dont care how good the killer app software might look like, or how attractive or how well designed it may appear to look, if its a KILLER APP, its trash in front of my eyes and an abomination to the computer world.
FranciscoNET: Fair points. In many cases there’s good reason to “stick with what you have.” But from time to time The VAR Guy does believe in a killer app. A prime example is the App Store for the iPhone… More of a killer destination than a killer app. But the App Store certainly gave the iPhone yet another leg up on rivals when it debuted.