The features are listed in no particular order, but they break downinto various categories depending on what part of Windows the featurerequest falls under. Many requests for improvements in InternetExplorer, such as a session restore function,are fairly obvious wishes for features that already exist incompetitive products such as Firefox and Opera. Other suggestions, suchas a tabbed Windows Explorer, look for features from web browsers to migrate into the general user interface.
Some of the feature requests are clearly unrealistic, such as the desire to "back up" Xbox 360 games to the PC (yeah, I don't think Microsoft will be doing thatone). Others are minor user interface enhancements that would be niceadditions but wouldn't really change the Windows experience, such as a progress bar when hibernating the system. However, there are a few that make good sense and would be welcome additions to the operating system, such as a built-in video and audio codec manager.
Excerpt from the leaked list.
A Windows 7 insider who wishes to remain anonymous told Ars thatthe leaked feature list was gathered before any real development onWindows 7 was started, and readers should not expect to see requestsfrom the list necessarily implemented in Microsoft’s next major Windowsrelease.
The Windows 7 team was directed to look at all major desktopoperating systems, including the latest Linux distributions and Apple'sOS X Leopard, but this was more for general impressions than to lookfor specific features to implement. Development of Windows 7, which isbeing built off the Windows Vista code base, is apparently proceedingat a fairly brisk pace, with about half of the desired features alreadyimplemented. Unlike the tortuous development process for Windows Vista,the Windows 7 team is actually ahead of schedule at this point,although as with all major software projects, this may not last.
One thing that Windows 7 is likely to contain is a new look for theuser interface. The same Microsoft insider told Ars that severaloptions are currently being considered, with the general goal being acleaner look rather than adding on more gloss and shine. Of course,this too could change before Windows 7 hits the shelves. Microsoft hasnot committed to a firm release date for Windows 7, but a target dateof somewhere between late 2009 and early 2010 is the current goal.
Source: ZERO
