Beyond simply the looks, however, there’s also gesture and touch support. These two will have a significant role in Windows 7, as can be seen already via features such as Aero Shake and gesture functionality in common controls (such as scrolling) via the the tablet framework.

Finally, Windows 7 will be much more context-aware than any other operating system thanks to a new sensor framework debuting in Windows 7.

Despite all of thiis, there are still some Windows Vista features which have not been expanded upon during PDC; SideShow, for example, was curiously absent. Will SideShow see more enhancements which will increase adoption? Here’s the quick list:

• Touch support with SideShow displays
• TCP/IP support via the updated .net micro framework
• 100% Backwards Compatibility with all Windows Vista SideShow gadgets

You can hear the full answer in an audio interview I magically recorded with the SideShow lead while at WinHEC (!) after the jump.

Play:

[audio:http://mirror.longhornlive.net/pdc2008/AeroXperience_WinHEC2008_Sideshow_1ch128kb.mp3|titles=Interview with Dan Polivy: SideShow|artists=Bryant Zadegan]

Download:

• Mono: 128kbps 320kbps
• Stereo: 128kbps 320kbps

Given that this is an interview, mono might be preferable for most listeners as positioned vocals tend to strain the brain when on the move (say, while driving). However, if you want to still want to hear the interview with the voices coming relative to microphone positioning, feel free to grab the stereo version. Both are the same side since mono still has two duplicate channels total.

If you like what you hear, keep in mind that we produce all content on the site without the assistance of advertisements. Your help is much appreciated!

Update: added 128kbps links thanks to an opening in free time.

During my time at PDC, I managed to speak with many people knowledgeable about various aspects of Windows 7. One of these people was Dan Polivy, a lead on the team behind the new Windows 7 sensors framework which was mentioned a number of times during the old days when Windows 7 speculation was rampant. Dan and I carried an informative interview regarding a number of functions of the Windows 7 sensors framework, including topics such as how easy it might be for a user to receive sensor data from sensors which are plugged into the framework as well as what one could do with various forms of sensor data, such as locational input from WiFi triangulation and GPS signals.

If you’re a developer, watching this video would be a wise decision; we’re doing something special for those who watch, so stay tuned.

You can catch 720p and 1080p download links as well as an embedded version (via Vimeo) after the break. All videos are x264/MP3 in AVI containers.

Update (Sunday, Nov. 8, 2008): If you have yet to see the interview, a… “reasonably good incentive” embedded within the video is now live.

If you like what you see, please donate through our subscriber portal. You can see the list of benefits, as well as how to subscribe, over here.

• 720p: Download
• 1080p: Download

Feel free to watch the Vimeo version (it would be nice to our bandwidth if you did!):