Microsoft to Offer Windows Touch Screen

Microsoft, still smarting over consumer discontent with its Windows Vista operating system, yesterday offered a peek at the touch-screen operating system it believes will revolutionize personal computing, the Wall Street Journal reports. The OS isn’t expected to hit shelves for 20 months, but already is creating buzz with its iPhone-like ease of use.

The company says its “multi-touch” technology allows users a simple interface with products like digital editing and mapping software, and indicated the so-called Windows 7 could go on sale around January 2010, about 3 years after Vista premiered. Vista sales have been solid, but consumers have been less than thrilled with its performance—and businesses have been slow to buy in. (More Microsoft stories.)