So it was revealed yesterday then that the next version of Windows will feature multi-touch technology. Details have been revealed on this Windows Vista blog, which did amuse me with its ‘just don’t mention that lot’ description in an attempt to hide the fact that this is yet another ‘Apple got here first’ technology.

“Touch is quickly becoming a common way of directly interacting with software and devices. Touch-enabled surfaces are popping up everywhere including laptop touch pads, cell phones, remote controls, GPS devices, and more.”

Of course Microsoft has been playing with multi-touch as long as Apple, only it decided to put its technology into Surface, which is essentially a very expensive table, while Apple actually came to market with aforementioned laptop touch pads and cell phones – technology that people actually wanted.

Carping aside, from the video it has to be said that the touch technology looks impressive and does feel like a more natural way to interact with your computer. Watching it, the now famous ‘Minority Report’ style 3D touch interface doesn’t seem a million miles away.

 I have to hope though this sort of thing doesn’t just add to the bloat. Microsoft has said that Windows 7 will be based on Windows Vista, so I’m really hoping that it spends the time optimising and streamlining the code of what is currently a rather slow OS. Probably a hope in vain.