@WinHEC2008

Some of the more interesting bits of info from the WinHEC2008 Keynote:

• Roadmap for Win7

• Win7 loads device drivers in parallel and starts services on demand

• Direct 3D speed graphics

• A DVD running on the same machine drew 13.4 watts on Windows 7 vs. 18 watts on Vista

• Tools that determine when the system can reduce poer to the radio, and can take down the use of the CPU when the system is idle

• More native codec support (unencrypted AAC, H.264, Divx, etc.)

• Automatic transcoding of formats

• Support for new kinds of devices (native support for sensors and accelerometers) and improved touch screen support.

Device stage: This new interface for connecting and managing devices such as cellphones, printers, portable media players and cameras will centralize tasks like transferring data, updating settings, adding ringtones and other features. Hardware makers will be able to program the device stage to be specific to their device with branding, photos and a set of menus that exposes all of the device's features - Nokia, Cannon, Sony, Epson and H-P are some of the hardware makers already supporting it.

Windows touch: Windows 7 will allow people to manipulate windows and documents by touching the screen, assuming they have hardware that supports this new natural user interface. Existing applications will be able to take advantage of touch because Microsoft is building it in to existing mouse commands. Microsoft expects hardware and software to be built to take advantage of this feature.

Mobile broadband: Windows 7 will have a consistent way for 3G network providers and modem manufacturers to present access to mobile broadband on Windows laptops. Mobile broadband networking will appear and be managed in the same way as other networking options such as WiFi.