KEY POINTS:
Microsoft may be readying Windows 7 - the next version of its operating system - for its first public outing.
Internet reports say that the software giant will show an early version of Vista-replacing '7' in its entirety at its Professional Developer Conference.
Arstechnica says all attendees at the conference will be given a 160GB hard disk with a variety of Microsoft's new software, including a pre-beta build of the new OS.
It will also be giving out the framework for its new cloud computing wares.
The small amount of official information on Windows 7 to come out has mainly focused on its multitouch capabilities, and the fact that some built-in applications will be replaced by Windows Live downloads.
An official release date for Windows 7 is yet to be announced, although founder Bill Gates let slip early this year that it was slated to be next year.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
