Microsoft Hardware has a great set of products that work very well with Windows Vista and Windows 7. When Windows 7 hits stores this fall, Microsoft Hardware will release new software that will allow the current line-up of Microsoft Hardware products (mice, keyboards, LifeCams, gaming devices and notebook accessories) to take advantage of new capabilities being introduced with Windows 7 such as the new Windows Taskbar and Device Stage.

Microsoft Hardware will be releasing new software with a feature called Taskbar Favorites, specifically designed for Microsoft keyboards from Microsoft. This feature will give users a quick way to access the applications represented on the new Windows Taskbar in Windows 7. Taskbar Favorites will automatically map the order of applications on the Windows Taskbar to the “My Favorites” hot keys on a Microsoft Hardware keyboard such as the Digital Media Keyboard 3000. “My Favorites” hot keys are a series of buttons on the top of Microsoft keyboards (circled below).

And using Windows Flip, with the press of a button people will be able to see a live preview of all their open windows. This allows people to more quickly navigate between open windows and choose a desired application.

Also, all Microsoft Hardware products will be recognized and shown as actual images of the product when you open the Devices and Printers folder.

In the above screenshot, you will see that my Digital Media Keyboard 3000, Notebook Optical Mouse 3000 and LifeCam Show all show up with actual product images making it much easier to work with the hardware.

The final versions of the software for Microsoft Hardware mice and keyboard products, which will include Taskbar Favorites and Device Stage and Windows Flip support will be available June 26th at the Microsoft Hardware Windows 7 Web site. The final versions of the Microsoft Hardware software for LifeCam products will be available July 31st.

For more information, see this press release on Microsoft PressPass.

At the rate that we see new gadgets set out in the market, the time may come where we would be using a different kind of interface as far as PC computing is concerned. Among them would be a shift towards using voice technology and simple touches of a keypad from the usual mobile phones largely used in carrying out computing works. In short, the possibility of a keyboard-less world looms over the horizon and it seems to be coming pretty soon.

“Talk and touch are common technology interfaces. People have adjusted to hearing individuals dictating information in public to their computing devices. In addition ‘haptic’ technologies based on touch feedback have been fully developed, so, for instance, a small handheld Internet appliance allows you to display and use a full-size virtual keyboard on any flat surface for those moments when you would prefer not to talk aloud to your networked computer.”

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The transformation of the standard desktop or laptop towards mobile computing is happening today. People put to good use their mobile phones and mini PC devices and one can just be amazed at the things that people can do with them. There is no doubt that connecting to the web has been made easier and no longer are people constrained to stay in the office or their home which normally becomes a problem when they want to move around and do multi-task activities.

If today we are seeing the growth of mobile technology, just imagine what is in store a couple of years from now. Voice technology is not far behind. It was tried out some years back but died down due to lack of support and peripherals compatible to it. Today is a different story and with all the players in the computer market vying for credible market share, don’t be surprised if it develops this time around.

Most users would like to wake up from Windows Vista sleep mode using their keyboards without needing to press the power button. Unfortunately, some laptops require you to press the power on button which could get annoying for some.

My friend was happy with his older Toshiba since he could wake Windows Vista with just a press of a key; but after buying a Lenovo laptop, he was pissed by needing to press the power button. (more…)

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