Windows Desktop Developer Center Updates for the week of 06.03.2011

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A couple cool things happened this week:

 I also have a fresh "use this not that" section for Touch.

'Windows 8' Developer Preview

Jenson's video shows it the best:

 Try and avoid poking too many questions at me about the next version of Windows as I don't know which features have officially been disclosed and have been advised not to talk about it. You can read the official Previewing 'Windows 8' press release to learn more about the announced features.  Keep in mind that this preview is just that, a preview; we have been known to add and change features, UI, and functionality before actual developer previews, not just demos at D9.

This presentation also mentioned

/ / build/ YesterdayMicrosoft announced that BUILD is a new event that shows modern hardware and software developers how to take advantage of the future of Windows.  BUILD is the first place to dive deep into the future of Windows.  At BUILD, Microsoft will show:

  • How to work with the all new touch-centric user experience to create fast, fluid, and dynamic applications that leverage the power and flexibility of the core of Windows, used by more than a billion people around the world.
  • How the UI was designed to work seamlessly with a diversity of devices and form factors.
  • The behind the scenes details on the new app model that allows developers to create powerful new apps. All while retaining the ability to use their existing apps.
  • How Web-connected and web-powered apps built using HTML5 and JavaScript have native access to the power of the PC. 
  • How Touch-optimized browsing, with the full power of hardware-accelerated Internet Explorer 10 transforms your experiences with the web.  The r

There a $500 discount if you register for //BUILD/ before August 1st. Not a bad deal.  Find out more about the //BUILD/ conference at their website: https://buildwindows.com

Windows Developer Guide Update

We published a version of the Windows 7 Developer Guide to the MSDN Library – you can access it at this URL:

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd371748(VS.85).aspx

Here are direct links to a couple of feature descriptions that I think were well done:

The top-level descriptions for these pages indicate the category they fall into (also viewable in the TOC). The second level headings are the actual feature descriptions. FYI, we are not bound to this format – we should follow it where it makes sense, but innovate and differentiate where possible to really make our document for Windows 8 special. Remember, the Windows 7 developer Guide effort came into existence in just over a month and under some duress, with fewer contributors. We have more time, more expertise, and more resources dedicated to the effort this time around, so I suspect we should be able to create a higher quality document.

Use this not that
When you are using Windows Touch, in most cases, using the Manipulation processor is better than using the gestures or interpreting raw touch messages.  The manipulation processor gives you:

To get started with the Manipulation processor, you should check out the Windows Touch Manipulation and Inertia samplethat showcases best practices using Direct2D and multitouch built on the MP.  There are additional samples that ship in the Windows SDK but the Direct2D sample is my favorite.

See Also