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Inside the Touch Pack for Windows 7: Lagoon

May 28, 2009 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

Rafael provides some details about the Touch Pack for Windows 7, which I alluded to in my recent Windows Touch article (because, at the time, we weren't allowed to discuss this publicly).

This afternoon, Microsoft revealed the new Touch Pack for Windows 7 featuring six new touch-enabled applications (toys) to be installed on touch-supported hardware (at the OEM's discretion of course). While all the toys are nice, the first to catch my eye was the photo-realistic fishy Microsoft Surface Lagoon screensaver. It features a photo realistic set of images put together to form a vivid 3D environment for the fishies to swim around and enjoy. Touching the display while the screensaver is going results in ripple formation – consistent with a finger being inserted in the water (i tested in my real aquarium) – and even draws the fish near while keeping your finger dry. Very nice!

Rafael and I wrote about the Touch Pack for Windows 7 Secrets but it's nice to be able to discuss it publicly now. I'll add info about this to my upcoming Windows Touch feature focus article. Stay tuned.

Discuss this Article 16

yipcanjo
on May 28, 2009
I'm starting to really want a touchscreen PC or tablet. Never did before, but Win7 is starting to sway me this direction...
gorath
on May 28, 2009
Yipcanjo, I've also recently started wanting a tablet PC, but that's got more to do with crayon physics deluxe than windows 7 - haha!
Waethorn
on May 28, 2009
@gorath: Grab a Hantech Tablo for $120.
gorath
on May 28, 2009
Wae! Thanks man - all is forgiven :D They're actually available in the UK as well, for less than a hundred quid! Awesome find!
Waethorn
on May 28, 2009
@gorath: On Vista, the system will just detect the PC as a Tablet PC when you plug in the sensor, and it turns on the respective Tablet PC features (requires a "Premium" version of Vista - Home Prem, Biz, or Ult). Not sure if it works on Windows 7 though. DO NOT use the Windows Tablet PC calibration tools though, as it will permenantly destroy the ability to properly calibrate it. Install the software and use the provided calibration tools instead. Also, those tools are necessary if you want to use the sensor on the side of a monitor instead of the top because you have to change the orientation, and the built-in Windows calibration tools have no such function. This also works on XP. It includes the Tablet PC functionality for XP versions that are not Tablet PC Edition (Home, Pro). It works on Vista x64 too.
Waethorn
on May 28, 2009
@gorath: FYI: This is NOT a touch or multi-touch device. It only works with the provided stylus. You can use it with the sensor on a pad of paper though and it includes interchangeable ink pen tips for the stylus. As you write, the sensor will digitize your handwritten paper notes in realtime. It also makes for a good line-digitizer/tracing tool with existing sketches and diagrams.
whiplash55
on May 28, 2009
Win 7 works quite well on my Latitude XT, I look forward to trying the touch pack but I have to admit besides taking notes I seldom use the tablet features.
gorath
on May 28, 2009
Wae, thanks for the heads up. I've seen the device on some gadgety TV shows, but assumed that it would be prohibitively expensive. I'm not after multi touch right now, I just want something to draw on the screen with (Crayon physics is insanely addictive!)
techfan
on May 28, 2009
I saw a video of this on neowin.net and didn't like any of the programs, except for this Lagoon one. It looks like fun just touching the screen to get the water to ripple. I remember when Paul kept saying he didn't like Windows touch but now he does. That's cool. I will be all over touch (well, if I can afford it, LOL ):-)
Waethorn
on May 28, 2009
"I remember when Paul kept saying he didn't like Windows touch but now he does." I don't mind it myself, but I'd prefer to use a stylus, or have some kind of floating device or motion sensing to avoid smudging my screen. I would especially hate to use this on a large TV. There are plastic screen guards that have a microscopically dimpled surface that eliminates smudging and fingerprints. I would recommend that touch-based PC makers use it. Of course, making it "compatible" with antibacterial Windex is always ideal.
techfan
on May 28, 2009
@Waethorn: I hear that. That's one of the reasons why I'm debating on whether to let people know I have a touch-enabled PC (if I go that route). I really don't want their finger (greasy) prints on my screen, and then having to constantly clean it. That's another thing I'll be looking into: some sort of shield that can be placed over the monitor to keep the actual screen clean. Something that sticks to the screen with static.
Waethorn
on May 29, 2009
@all: I had a try of Crayon Physics Deluxe with the Tablo (I sell them in my store). It rocks. That's now going to be a demo for the device. I think I'm going to get a hold of the dev and see who publishes it so I can get some copies for stock.
lotsamystuff
on May 29, 2009
It bears repeating: http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=763546
Waethorn
on May 29, 2009
losta: you are a troll
mikegalos@msn.com
on May 29, 2009
waethorn "losta: you are a troll" No need to waste bandwith on redundancy.
Waethorn
on May 29, 2009
"No need to waste bandwith on redundancy." I do recall that Ocean got bumped for trolling....

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