Next Windows to get multi-touch

Microsoft’s next version of Windows will support complex multi-touch features, according to a claim by company test engineer Hilton Locke. So far referred to only as Windows 7, the operating system will receive a Windows Technology update that should allow multiple points of contact and significantly more complex input options than the iPhone. Users of the Apple handset will be “blown away” by the additions to Windows, Locke hints without providing specific details.

Really guys? Really? Come on.
Based on Microsoft’s track record, the next version of Windows won’t be out for another 5-7 years, and if they pull it off at all like they did with Vista, it will be slow and buggy as hell until… um.. hey, when’s SP1 supposed to come out, anyway?

So, ok, maybe touch technologies in the Windows PC of 2014 will blow the 2007 iPhone away… but what about the 2-3 versions of iPhone that are sure to come out in the meantime? What about the 7 years of Mac OS & computer updates that will have come out by then? What about the foretold Apple multitouch gadgets that may be released as soon as next year or possibly next month? Does Microsoft thinks this industry is standing still without them? Do they really think a one-up to the iPhone’s technology half a decade later is going to be their killer app?

…And if they do, why the hell are they telling us about this? I mean, I love juicy tech news as much as the next geek, but guys, take a tip from Apple (or just about any tech company): Don’t say anything about what you’re working on until you have a shiny new product that works and is ready to sell to the public.

Not sure if they’re true, but I thought that was a great combo.

If you’re not familiar with the One Laptop Per Child program, the concept is simple: In the information age in which we live, computers and the internet are critical learning and communication tools. However, many parts of the world don’t have access to such technology. The OLPC project aims to create an inexpensive laptop that is fully capable, networked, rugged, and accessible to children in developing countries that may have never even seen a computer.
The fruits of the project’s efforts are about to be released all over the world, but they need our help, which also provides an interesting opportunity. For a limited time, you can buy 2 laptops: one is your to do with as you desire, and the other goes to a developing country that needs it. I personally think this is an amazing initiative, and I’m as eager to bring the 3rd world into the 21st century as I am eager to have a new gadget to mess around with. This program won’t last, so on Nov 12th, I suggest you nab one of these. Better karma than an iPhone, dudes.

OLPC Give One Get One program
OLPC main informational website

“Web 2.0 in just under 5 minutes”
I love this video. A very entertaining & informative summary of why this web 2.0 thing is so dern cool. Use it to educate your less geeky friends

I’ve been in love with Google Earth since long before Google bought Keyhole, but they just keep making it better and better. In addition to lots of other neat upgrades that I’ll not mention, you can now explore SPACE and fly right into panoramic photos. Getting lost zipping around the solar system and exploring distant stars is frikkin sweet, ya should check it out.

(more…)

If you haven’t already seen it, check out the new “Street View” feature in Google Maps.

Totally cool: now you can take a virtual tour of Central Park, or actually scope out the particular building you are going to.

How do they get that street level imagery, you ask? Check out this van.

First Apple busts out consumer multitouch with the iPhone, then Microsoft shows up with Surface, a (almost) consumer multitouch table. Very cool. I love the table I made, but it definitely has it’s shortcomings: I’ll be nice to see what a real software/electronics company can come up with, and it looks like that’s exactly what we’ll see in the coming years.

MS Surface official site
Popular Mechanics article (featuring video & Jeff Han)
CNN article (with video)
CNET article (with video)
Forbes article
New York Times article

Ok, I’m diggin on WordPress like a fat kid on cake.

Now it’s time to get my CSS going so I can make this thing puuurdy.

Stay tuned.