Archive notice: This article was originally published on January 9, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
In his opening keynote at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer announced the availability of the Windows 7 Beta. The new generation of Windows Live, an offering of personal communications services and applications for Windows, is also available worldwide.
Steve Ballmer: “I am excited to announce the availability of the Windows 7 Beta, which gives users more intuitive operation and greater confidence in its features. With Windows 7 and Windows Live, people can communicate, share information and accomplish more tasks more easily than ever before.”
Subscribers to MSDN, TechBeta and TechNet can download the beta version of Windows 7 now. Consumers who want to test the prerelease version of the new operating system can obtain it from January 9 at http://www.microsoft.de/windows/windows-7 or the US site http://www.microsoft.com/windows7.*
New Windows 7 Features
Microsoft is presenting several new features and improvements in Windows 7 at CES 2009.
- Among other things, Windows 7 offers greater reliability, enhanced security, improved compatibility and lower battery consumption, enabling customers to work efficiently.
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Complete tasks faster and more easily: Windows 7 offers a clean, intuitive design and easier access to files, PCs and devices. New features such as Multi-Touch enable touch-sensitive screens to be operated with several fingers simultaneously. Home Group lets users quickly connect multiple computers to access files, music, photos and videos regardless of where they are stored. When connecting a wide variety of devices to their PC, Device Stage gives users an easy-to-use interface for management and cross-device processes.
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Better entertainment: The “Play To” feature in Windows 7 makes it easy to stream music, video and photo files from a PC to playback devices on a home network. Windows Media Player and Windows Media Center support more formats, allowing PCs to play various types of content and synchronize it with devices. Windows Media Center, with TV tuner support and an improved interface, makes recording television programs easier.
Windows Live and Partnerships
Windows Live lets users synchronize their online world with one password. The offering, comprising services such as Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Photo Gallery, works fully with more than 50 popular internet services. Internet Explorer 8, whose final version will be available soon, enables users to find information, exchange files and access websites faster with fewer clicks, sign-ins and changes to settings.
Steve Ballmer also announced new Windows partnerships with Dell Inc., Facebook and Verizon Wireless. Beginning in February 2009, Dell will preinstall Windows Live Essentials and Live Search worldwide on many PCs for consumers and small businesses. In the coming months, content published on Facebook, including photos, will be shareable with Windows Live. Under a new five-year partnership with Verizon Wireless, US customers will be able to use Live Search to find local business and shopping information, while also gaining access to maps, route planning, ringtones and other mobile services.
