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Windows 'Longhorn' Kicks Off (On Paper)

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the feature-envy-can-be-healthy dept.

gdeciantis writes: "NeoWin.net posted an article which outlines some of the new features that are currently planned for the the next version of Windows (codenamed Longhorn). With new features like seamless content transfer across devices, it looks like Longhorn will not just be Windows XP SE."

13 of 432 comments (clear)

  1. Oh joy. by Kenja · · Score: 5, Funny

    I guess this means we get to see another video clip of the Microsoft CEO stamping around on stage screaming. This time in a cowboy hat and boots of course. I wonder if they'll hand out temp tattoos that look like cow brands with the MS logo?

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  2. FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by nherc · · Score: 5, Informative

    From: http://www.microsoft.com/winlogo/hardware/HWrequir ements.asp

    Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals
    This section summarizes Microsoft's key goals for the combination of operating system and hardware platform advances with Windows Longhorn.
    Client Hardware Initiatives for Windows Longhorn
    In early planning for the Windows "Longhorn" client, Microsoft has identified following core areas for advancing the platform for the client PC:
    PC as a trusted, secure platform.
    These goals include core hardware changes to ensure security, plus support for smart cards and biometric input devices.
    PC fundamentals.
    These goals continue to improve the Plug and Play, startup, and manageability characteristics of the system.
    PC has appliance-like simplicity
    These goals includes advancing OnNow performance with "instant on" improvements, predictable power button behavior, and unified interaction between software and hardware controls. This also includes advancing "quiet PC' goals for targeted markets.
    For PC/device interaction, the goals include advancing standards for physical device connections and for discovery and authentication through Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) and Microsoft .NET Passport.
    PC as a primary form of integrated communications
    These goals include advances in voice quality for real-time communications, and advances to operating system support and hardware integration of digital video and voice input capabilities.
    PC as the center of home entertainment
    This set of initiatives focused on audio/video (A/v) streaming and encoding, by advancing a completely digital audio path and reducing system latencies. These goals also include dramatic advances for usability through easy access connectors, new media support, and graphics support for both two-foot and ten-foot user interfaces.
    PC is the preferred mobile device.
    These goals include advancing support for "ink as input" by commoditizing support for Tablet PC input capabilities for laptops and new form factors. These goals also work to expanding the reach of wireless computing, through advances related to IEEE 802.11, mobile IPv6, Remote NDIS, UPnP discovery, and Microsoft .NET authentication. In addition, these initiatives seek to advance scenarios and capabilities for hot docking and longer battery life.

    --
    'He was a dreamer, a thinker, a speculative philosopher... or, as his wife would have it, an idiot.' - Douglas Adams
    1. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by mickwd · · Score: 5, Funny
      "...predictable power button behaviour..."

      ????

      You mean like a power button that turns the power on, and then off again ?

      Us open-source folks had better give up now - there's no way we can catch up with advances like this...

    2. Re:FYI: Windows "Longhorn" Platform Goals by Colz+Grigor · · Score: 5, Funny

      No, this means that Windows Longhorn will predict when the user really wanted to hit the power button and will turn off instantly.

      The heuristics for determining shutdown times have been improving since Windows 3.1. Remember the advent of the Blue Screen of Death in NT 4.0? That was really just a message telling the user "we think it's time for you to shut off the computer".

      ::Colz Grigor

  3. Features I'd like to see in the next Windows by Ubergrendle · · Score: 5, Funny

    - Everything configurable via the command line for power users
    - Non-integrated browser
    - Non-integrated media player
    - Drivers for USB 2.0, Bluetooth, and Firewire
    - 100% documented APIs
    - No WPA

    I would also like the ability to fly, bend metal objects with my mind, and understand women.

    --
    John Maynard Keynes: "When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do?"
    1. Re:Features I'd like to see in the next Windows by kzinti · · Score: 5, Funny
      I would also like the ability to fly, bend metal objects with my mind, and understand women.

      To bastardize the words of the late great Douglas Adams:

      There is a theory which states that if men ever succeed in understanding women, they will instantly disappear and be replaced with something even more bizarre inexplicable.

      There is another theory which states that this has already happened.

      --Jim
  4. Using 3D API's for 2D? by bravehamster · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Following the links led me to Microsofts Longhorn website and another document entitled "Windows "Longhorn" Graphics Bandwidth Requirements". The part I found most interesting is:
    Windows Longhorn will expose new APIs for accelerated 2D drawing. These new APIs will not use existing GDI acceleration but will instead use the Microsoft Direct3D® DDI. New applications, therefore, will make use of the 3D pipeline of the graphics adapter for their 2D / productivity graphics requirements.
    So does this mean that in 2005 my new Geforce8MX will speed up my porn-browsing? Bring it on, Microsoft!

    --
    ---- El diablo esta en mis pantalones! Mire, mire!
  5. Re:The much anticipated... by x0n · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ah, you know about the secret .LOG function too? Open notepad, make the first line .LOG -- save it, and voila, everytime you open it, it inserts a timestamp! beat that EMACS in under 85 lines of lisp!

    - Ois

    --

    PGP KeyId: 0x08D63965
  6. TV cards must support DRM! by Col.+Klink+(retired) · · Score: 5, Informative
    Seems any WinTV cards that will want Windows logos will have to support MS's (patented) DRM technology. From the document:

    TV and Video Requirements
    NEW: Video device that supports digital rights management meets compatibility requirements

    --

    -- Don't Tase me, bro!

  7. Re:Shot in the Dark Guess by bnenning · · Score: 5, Funny
    but it may have something to do with integrating the Digital Rights Management scheme further, so that ordinary users cannot rip CDs


    As an Apple shareholder, I strongly encourage Microsoft to do this.

    --
    How to solve most of our problems: 1.Lots of nuclear plants. 2.Cure aging.
  8. Nice name by DotComVictim · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think it's quite funny that the codename "longhorn" refers to the beetle family, cerambycidae, well known pests of forests and ornamental plants. The larvae consist of worms that bore into the host, making it more susceptible to future infestation and disease.

    The analogy between this and the Windows operating system invasion of the corporate desktop is quite amusing.

  9. Uh Oh by kick_in_the_eye · · Score: 5, Funny

    Don't confuse this with the new Lindows Wonghorn release.

  10. How appropriately named. by MongooseCN · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bend over so MS can give you the Longhorn..

    --


    Outdoor digital photography, mostly in New Engl