As reported on The Verge.
By Tom Warren
Microsoft’s TechFest event earlier this month is largely an internal only affair where Microsoft Research demonstrates a number of new technologies its working on. However, that hasn’t stopped Stephen Chapman over at MSFTKitchen who has posted up a video of Fresh Paint for Windows Blue. Prior to the demonstration, which gets delayed due to a technical issue, Microsoft’s chief technical strategy officer, Eric Rudder, discusses the balance of being open about the company’s plans, its continued investment in research, and his excitement about the next version of Windows.
“We’re really excited to work, now that the next version of Windows is coming, to make sure that we extend touch in even more dramatic fashion,” says Rudder, hinting that Microsoft is considering touch improvements across Windows Blue. “If you look at a company like HP now that’s kind of struggling and cut their R&D budget, I think they may have wished there’s some stuff in the factory they could drop on and sort of renew themselves,” says Rudder before introducing Fresh Paint for Windows Blue.
FRESH PAINT GETS WATERCOLOR FEATURE FOR BLUE
The application demo doesn’t show any specific Windows Blue features, but the presenter walks through a new addition: watercolor. Microsoft says that “for Blue” it’s trying to add watercolor and mixed media to its Fresh Paint application. The app was a showcase for Windows 8, allowing users to ink and use touch to draw using digital paint. For Windows Blue, Fresh Paint includes options to use realistic watercolors alongside the traditional oil paints in a mixed mode within the app. Another improvement is the ability to add an image into the app and transpose it into a watercolor painting you can interactive with an adjust.
Although company officials confirm the Blue codename in the video, there are no hints at when we’ll see this next version of Windows. We understand that Microsoft is preparing a public preview version that includes significant search improvements. Blue will also include support for 7- and 8-inch devices and will introduce Internet Explorer 11. It’s expected to be made available as an upgrade to Windows 8 later this year.