Microsoft’s Windows 7 includes some enhancements and features for touch screen computing but until now there hasn’t been much news from the netbook manufactures about how they are going to use these new features. For example Asus recently launched the T91 touch screen netbook in their Eee PC range using custom software on top of Windows XP. But now Sony has spilled the beans about their intentions with Windows 7 and netbooks with touch screens.
In a recent interview Sony executive Mike Abary confirmed that Sony are working on a netbook, with a touch screen, that will take advantage of the enhancements in Windows 7.
Here is what he said:
“There are certain things that will be native on Windows 7 that we are certainly going to take advantage of. Without giving too much away, we think touch on Windows 7 is something we find compelling and we will certainly introduce touch into some of our products at the launch of Win 7. You will see touch capabilities introduced on Vaio products that take advantage of Windows 7.”
Of course, as you probably know, Windows 7 will launch on October 22 so Sony’s plans are certainly well advanced by now. Windows 7 includes several changes for touch screen computing including a taller taskbar, pinch to zoom and tap-and-drag scrolling. There’s a nice new onscreen keyboard which is quite usable, and the quick-swipe gestures from Vista remain for forward, back, copy, paste, undo and redo. It will be interesting to see what Sony can do with Windows 7.
Sony currently has two netbook type machines on sale the Vaio P with a 8 inch screen, a solid state drive and Windows Vista and the Vaio W with a 10 inch screen, a traditional hard drive and Windows XP. There is no word if Sony will integrate the touchscreen into one of these machines or launch a new range.
In response to the follow-up question “so we are going to see a touch enabled VAIO with a crossbar media interface that allows you to tap into the Playstation network and access the Sony eBook store?” Mike laughed and added, “You are going to see VAIO products that take advantage of already announced touch capabilities in Windows 7. You are also going to see more collaboration between the groups within Sony.”
Given the international nature of Sony, this netbook will certainly come to the UK this year but there is no word in pricing as yet.
Check out the entire interview here.