Microsoft unveiled Windows 7 today at the Professional Developers Conferences (PDC). There wasn’t anything too unbelievable, but they did show off a revamped Taskbar that some are saying is inspired by Mac’s Dock. Windows 7 will use what looks like oversized quick launch icons. Don’t be fooled though. Those icons are used to not only start apps, but also switch between them. Here’s how Microsoft’s Windows Blog explains the new “tiles” on the Taskbar:
The new Windows Taskbar in Windows 7 focuses on application “tiles”. These application tiles can be arranged or re-arranged anywhere on the Windows Taskbar simply by grabbing the tiles and moving them where ever you want on the taskbar. Users will be able to “pin” applications they use the most to the new Windows Taskbar via the Start Menu by simply dragging and dropping those apps from the Start Menu to the Windows Taskbar.
What makes it even more interesting is that when you hover over one of the tiles you’ll see a live preview of all the application’s open windows. You can then use those previews to switch between each of the different windows… kind of like tabs:
(Click to Enlarge)
And it still gets better. Those preview windows are a bit too small to see intricate details, and Microsoft has finally realized that. So now when you hover over one of those previews it will immediately bring that particular window to the front of the screen so that you can clearly see its contents. If you hover off the preview it will be sent back to the position where it resided.
One of the last things I wanted to show off is Microsoft more extensive use of “glass” throughout the operating system. Now when you want to preview the desktop it will make the windows on top transparent leaving a glass-like frame to hold their place:
(Click to Enlarge)
In the end I think Microsoft is definitely on the right track with the new Taskbar in Windows 7. Plus I’m really loving the fact that you can see both the date and time without needing a double-height taskbar.
Don’t forget to check out what’s new in Windows 7 Media Center, and enjoy some more screenshots courtesy of Channel 10 at Microsoft…
–Taskbar & Start Menu–
(Click a thumbnail to enlarge)
–Programs–
(Click a thumbnail to enlarge)
–Taskbar Video Demonstration–
Thanks for the tip Oliver!
Enjoyed the post? Subscribe to our feed to get a daily dose of CyberNet!
Tags: Pre-Release, Software, Windows
Related Posts:
- 54 Screenshots Of Windows Vista 5466
- History of Windows Video
- Remove Windows From The Taskbar And Place In Tabs
- Free Program To Rearrange Your Taskbar Buttons
- Helpful Tip: Middle-Click to Close Programs
Wow, for not the biggest changes, looks pretty freakin awesome. The one thing that looked no good, both in skin and content, is the start menu. I think the Vista start menu is pretty darn near perfect.
The taskbar changes look pretty cool. Darn, now I’m gonna want to upgrade to Win7!
Update: Just watched the video. Freakin awesome, especially “peek”! Also, kinda odd, the start menu in video is all good, but the one under “taskbar and start menu” in ur screenshots is no good.
Finally a reason to upgrade! (Still with XP and see no reason to upgrade to Vista..) I especially like the context-sensitive right-click menu on the taskbar, that seems very very useful. I’m just wondering if I can still fit my 30+ icons on the new taskbar
If you like to see the date in the systray, next to the time, try making your taskbar twice as high and putting the quicklaunch icons at the bottom (effectively creating something similar as the new taskbar). For eye candy you could use LClock to display the time & date
I love the look of Windows 7, I just hope it is better the Vista.
Can Microsoft deliver the goods this time?
I hope so, as I am now getting very excited. Cannot wait to try it.
Regards
Jeff
Duh???? It is STILL VISTA just on Steroids,LOL. They shouldn’t call it “Windows 7″ it should be named Windows “OS XI” for all the “Apple Crap Features” being ported into it. Well they always said imitation was the sincerest form of “Tush Kissing.” Ha ha ha.
I’ll bet their passing out cigars over at APPLE, or retaining appropriate legal consultants waiting too pounce. “Nothing new under the SUN any more.”
Well at least all those Upgraded Graphic Cards will get Used. Enough said. The Giant know as Microsoft is “Sleeping once again.”
If Microsoft so excited about Windows 7, isn’t this a clear evidence of how bad Windows Vista is. No matter how many Bill Gates’ ads promoting Vista, computer users are saying…Hasta la Vista Baby.
I hope Redmond learned its lesson and release a better operating system next year. Will it be on time?
The “peek” mode is definitely a great idea, and there’s no doubt that it’d save me a lot of headaches. There are a lot of times where I’d switch back and forth between windows trying to get content from one to put into another, and that would keep me from actually having to switch to the window.
I bet it will actually be early. Some sources are saying that internally Microsoft is shooting for next summer already. I bet they’ll try to get it out in time for the holiday season next year at the very least.
This task bar is just like apples operating system Tiger. THey are stealing again.
I wouldn’t say they are stealing. If you think about it the new Taskbar isn’t all that much different than the existing one. For the most part they’ve just removed the text from each item on the Taskbar, and made them more permanent.
OMG!…….It looks SOooo Just Like KDE 4 …Pharrk….did Micro$oft have their Innovation Gland removed or what!?…SAADLY DISSAPOINTED! …I’d post screenshots of my current Ubuntu system but the M$ Script kiddies would accuse me of trying to look like Windows7.