Earlier this week, 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.
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