Really the only feature that Microsoft has promised for the next version of Windows after Windows Vista, is Multi-Touch. We're all becoming familiar with the idea of multi-touch displays thanks to the iPhone and iPod Touch, but it's about time for this capability to come to the PC (or rather Laptop / Tablet). I haven't owned a Table PC yet, but I've had my sights on getting one for a while. I just found out that the Dell XT (Dell's version of the convertable laptop / tablet) not only has touch capability, but through it's capacitive digitizing hardware is capable of Multi-Touch as well!
Below is a video on YouTube demonstrating the Dell XT's Multi-Touch capability enabled by the new "firmware" that is supposed to be out now.
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arrkdO_SDm8
Here's another demo of the XT's Multi-Touch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmOBETxIyfk
Also, if you are interested in learning more about the Multi-Touch functionality coming in Windows 7, you may be interested in checking out the below links:
Being a developer, one of my initial thoughts about the Dell XT is to wonder if there is a programming API for the Multi-Touch capabilities to be able to take advantage of it within my own applications. There doesn't seem to be an API in the works, but there is a request for one over at ideastorm.com, so go vote for it and get Dell to implement one.
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/show/10079800/Offer_tablets_with_capacitive_multitouch_and_a_publicly_available_API
Also, another related idea, I wonder when Dell or anyone else will start to come out with LCD displays with this same Multi-Touch capable technology?
Now if only I could justify purchasing one of these for myself...
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