At the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference

downix writes "At Toms Hardware they're running an article where they discuss the next-generation Windows graphics system. The big part of the scoop, it's being done via DirectX. Have to validate those 2Ghz CPU's and GPU's that need their own nuclear power plant to run somehow." Some other interesting things there - quiet PCs, more about the Oqo, etc.

Comments

Berlin

[Anonymous Coward]

The article mentions that the entire desktop will be made in vector graphics. That was mentioned several years ago, and, there is a (slowly developing) project for Linux named Berlin which also is a vector based desktop.

http://www.berlin-consortium.org/

Hopefully that will pace up!

Re:Killer App?

[4of12]

Well, apart from the underlying sentiment against commoditization that was mentioned in Tom's review of WinHEC that will impede the rollout of the next killer app, there are a few things that come to mind.

• Smaller, quieter PCs that don't make a SOHO look like a machine room. I've got a 60 lb monitor sitting on my desk next to a noisy midtower case. If I could replace it with an LCD at equivalent resolution and a Tranmeta like OQO driving it I'd pay for such an upgrade.
• Greater telephony integration. If I could plug phones, fax machines into RJ11 slots into the computer and use cheap easy software for voicemail, for automatically calling out, forwarding messages to my work number, etc.
• Wireless networking to conventional Consumer Electronic devices such as TVs, PVRs, FM stereo receivers, CD players, portable MP3 players, etc.

I know that with enough money and with specialized Knerdly Knowledge it is possible to build systems to do some of these things even today, but what's needed is for it to be cheap and convenient for the average Joe.

It could be that way if all the major players weren't so worried about protecting their existing revenue streams - I suspect it will be necessary for new companies to provide these innovations. From the gist of the conference, you can tell that MS and the other attendees are not entirely unaware of what people would like to have.