| From the Editor Windows 7 Beta Is Here!
In this month's special edition of the Microsoft Hardware Newsletter, we are excited to announce the availability of the Windows 7 Beta for our ecosystem partners. Windows 7 builds on the substantial investments in Windows Vista to deliver an operating system that boots quickly, is fast and reliable, is more secure, gets the most out of today's powerful hardware, and connects with the broad world of devices customers use every day. With your feedback throughout our planning and development process, we now have a great foundation for you to start testing and innovating on this exciting new version of Windows. Several significant enhancements in the device experience will provide compelling new value for your company as well as end users, but all this starts with a solid foundation in compatibility. Your continued partnership is key during the Windows 7 Beta as many decisions leading to the release will be based on device manufacturers' feedback and insights. So What's Next? You can get started immediately with Windows 7:  Download the Windows 7 Beta Test for Windows 7 compatibility Innovate with new things possible
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Download Windows 7 Beta
The Windows 7 Beta is a stable, feature-complete build ready to start testing your devices and applications. The bits can be downloaded now from these two locations*: Winqual: If you are a Windows Logo Program partner with a Winqual account, you will find instructions on how to access the Windows 7 Beta after logging into your account. Microsoft Connect: If you are a hardware partner but do not have a Winqual account, you can access the Windows 7 Beta by entering invitation ID Win7-3HQW-RF74 on the Microsoft Connect homepage. Learn About New Features If you haven't already, take a moment to learn about the new features of Windows 7. Overall, we think you will find that Windows 7: Works the way customers want. In Windows 7, Microsoft improved on what customers told us they care about most - the basics. With your help, performance improvements will be evident when customers start or shut down their Windows 7 PC. Reliability and battery-life enhancements as well as fewer interruptions to everyday activities will enable customers to spend more time doing the things they want to do, without the operating system getting in their way. Makes everyday tasks faster and easier. Windows 7 simplifies the things people do every day on their PCs with a more streamlined and intuitive design. One-click access to favorite programs and devices and two-click access to favorite files allows users to spend less time looking for things and more time using them. Ease of access extends across multiple PCs and devices with a new feature called HomeGroup that makes it simpler for consumers to connect their PCs and share and access files, music, photos, and videos no matter where they are stored. Makes new things possible. Windows 7 will offer opportunities to create more choice in how users interact with their PCs, such as through multitouch gestures. With Device Stage, Windows 7 enables people to get more from the devices they use most often with their PC, such as cameras, phones, and printers through a set of XML schemas that device makers can customize. Windows 7 also will make it easier to use home audio-video systems and other networked media devices to play music, watch videos and display photos that reside on Windows-based PCs. And Windows 7 will offer more options than ever to customize and personalize Windows-based PCs with styles that match the user's personality. *Important note: Although Microsoft does not provide technical support for the Windows 7 Beta and isn't responsible for business-related downtime, your feedback and insight throughout the beta of Windows 7 are key. For support with hardware testing tools, please read these comprehensive Support Options and also reach out to your primary support channel to report bugs, troubleshoot issues, and report product compatibility with Windows 7. *Important Beta Reminders: Don't install the beta on your primary home or work computer. After the beta expires, you'll need to reinstall a released version of Windows to continue to use your computer (see installation instructions). To learn more, see Windows 7 Beta: Frequently Asked Questions.
Test for Windows 7 Compatibility
Start testing your applications and device drivers early to verify compatibility and, if necessary, update your code base to help ensure your customers will have a great experience with Windows 7. For Testing Device Drivers:  - Documentation: New whitepapers and help files on the WHDC Developer Tools Site help you start testing for Windows 7 including Device/Driver Test Automation and Driver Verifier for Windows 7. - Tools: Take advantage of the new Windows Logo Kit (WLK) 1.3 release* that allows you to preview Windows 7 logo content and logo down-level operating systems. For Testing Applications: - Documentation: The Windows Application Quality Cookbook will help you verify the compatibility of your applications. It provides an overview of the few known application compatibility issues in Windows 7, pointing out differences in performance, reliability, and usability, and provides links to detailed white papers and other developer guidance. Also review Draft Software Requirements for passing Windows 7 software logo requirements. - Tools: Available soon! A new self-test tool for confirming that your application passes the Windows 7 software logo requirements, which makes acquiring the Windows 7 compatibility logo simpler than ever before. For Testing End-to-End Scenarios: - After component-level testing, evaluate your products using the Windows Performance Toolkit v.4.1.1 to ensure your device, driver, and applications are resource efficient and responsive with minimal impact to overall system performance. Give Feedback and Get Support Your feedback and insight throughout the beta of Windows 7 are key. Please reach out to your primary support channel to report bugs, troubleshoot issues, and report product compatibility issues with Windows 7, including: TAMs IHV/ISV Partner Engagement Teams Feedback on MS Connect and MSDN Forums For support with hardware testing tools, read these comprehensive Support Options. What's New for Windows 7 Logo Program Now is the time to get ready for the Windows 7 Logo Program - a streamlined program focused on guiding consumers and businesses to select products that are compatible, are reliable, and perform well on Windows. Devices and software can earn the "Compatible with Windows 7" logo and PCs will be eligible for the "Windows 7" logo. To get ready for the logo, evaluate the requirements and determine if your product will need updating to qualify. For Hardware Logo: - Documentation: Review the Hardware Requirements (log onto Winqual and navigate to the LogoPoint home page). - Tools: Device driver documentation and testing for the Windows 7 Logo Program are now available for preview in the Windows Logo Kit 1.3 release*. For Software Logo: - Documentation: Review Draft Software Requirements for preview/feedback. - Tools: Available soon! A new self-test tool for confirming that your application passes the Windows 7 software logo requirements. *Requires MS Connect registration. If you have not accessed MS Connect before, read how to get the WDK and WLK.
Innovate with New Things Possible in Windows 7
Device makers can unlock new value with a collection of new features introduced in Windows 7 that improve how users discover and interact with devices connected to their PC. Get started evaluating your opportunity on Windows Hardware Developer Central where several new whitepapers outline how to start building new device experiences on Windows 7 today. New Branding and Services Opportunities The new Windows 7 Device Experience allows you to extend your brand and services to your customers every time they connect a device to their PC. Devices and Printers Folder: Windows 7 introduces a new folder accessible in the Start menu named the Devices and Printers folder through which users can see all the devices that are connected to their PC. Through a new set of XML schemas, device makers can customize how their device is described and presented in Windows. Device Stage: Device Stage provides a new visual interface for users to interact with their cell phones, cameras, printers, and portable media players from the Windows 7 desktop. Through a new set of XML schemas, device makers can define branding, applications, and services that are specific to each device. Device Containers: Windows 7 provides improvements to the Windows Plug and Play infrastructure that support detecting and grouping various functions of a single device. Grouping device functions into a single device container lets Windows 7 represent multi-function devices as a single "piece of plastic" that closely aligns with the user's perception of the physical device. Device Metadata System: In Windows 7, the Device Metadata System provides an end-to-end process for device manufactures to define, distribute, and update device metadata packages. Through these XML documents, the Devices and Printers folder and Device Stage will present users with a branded interface defined by the device maker. These can be distributed dynamically over the Web or installed directly through a Setup application. Simple Connectivity Seamless user experiences begin with the ability to connect devices easily. With Windows Rally technologies, Windows 7 shows users all wireless devices available for them to install and use. They simply pick a device, confirm the connection, and start using it. Users can install and use a Certified Bluetooth, Windows Connect Now, or network-connected device in just a few minutes and, regardless of which connection method the user chooses, the PC always sees it as the same device. Additional drivers can be retrieved automatically from Windows Update and, when appropriate, users are given an option to download and install additional applications for the device. All of this helps reduce support calls and increase customer satisfaction. Richer Application Experiences Device-specific applications are another way to extend your brand and services. Get started taking advantage of new opportunities in Windows 7 by evaluating the Windows 7 Developer Guide and reviewing several new Windows 7 Application Developer White Papers. Build on a Solid Foundation. Great user experiences start with a solid foundation, and Windows 7 provides just that. Windows 7 focuses on the fundamentals - ensuring that the operating system is reliable and compatible, and works with the applications and devices people use today. Improved resource management and system performance make the operating system nimbler and more responsive. Fundamental security enhancements, along with more streamlined User Account Control, maintain stability and safety while minimizing user interruptions. Windows 7 also helps developers be more productive, with improved debugging tools, data and documentation to accelerate software development, and an enhanced MSI engine that makes deployment easier and more manageable. Enable Richer Application Experiences. Windows 7 offers new capabilities that help developers create products that make the most of today's hardware and deliver exciting new innovations to customers. Windows touch ink and gesture support, along with improved handwriting and speech recognition, makes it easier for developers to add new input capabilities to their applications. A new taskbar, destinations, and shell integration enhance discoverability and usability for all applications. New controls and APIs help developers easily add Ribbon-style controls, menus, and galleries. And developers can more easily take full advantage of today's hardware capabilities, with high-fidelity graphics and media, enhanced performance through multi-core functionality, and Device Stage, which enables new software experiences for the wide range of devices people use every day. Deliver the Best of the PC and the Web. Windows 7 is designed to be the best platform for services that span the PC, the Web, and the devices people use every day. It enables developers to write once and run anywhere: they can build for the Web with Internet Explorer 8, add rich media with Silverlight, and extend their experiences to the rich client with Windows Presentation Foundation - all using the same familiar platform and tools. The Windows Web Services API enables developers to create powerful Web services with minimal effort. And, Federated Search and accelerators help them extend Web-based capabilities to the client - and vice versa.
New Things Happening with the WDK WDK Beta Announcement
Microsoft is pleased to announce that the Windows Driver Kit (WDK) beta is available to any driver developers who wish to participate in the WDK beta program. The WDK team would like to encourage driver developers to sign up for the WDK beta program, download the WDK beta, and submit feedback. Specifically, we would like you to use the WDK beta to help you ensure your drivers build without errors in the Windows 7 build environment. The WDK beta includes new tools and samples and will contain the headers and libraries you need to build drivers for the new technologies and device features introduced in Windows 7. If you are interested in participating in the beta, send an e-mail message to wdkbeta@microsoft.com. In return, you will receive an invitation to the WDK beta program with instructions on how to join. For more information on the WDK, see the WDK and Developer Tools page on WHDC.
Windows Logo Program Tools and News
WLK 1.3 Release Announcement
We are pleased to announce the RTM of the Windows Logo Kit (WLK) 1.3 now available for download via Microsoft Connect. The primary purpose of this release is to provide preview content for Windows 7 logo requirements so partners can begin work on Windows 7. The preview also includes simplified Windows Vista tests that go into effect in the annual refresh this summer. More details about this release can be found in next week's Windows Logo Newsletter. For more information on the Windows Logo Program, visit the Windows Logo Program home page.
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