Microsoft Corp. will require hardware makers to test their device drivers on Windows 7 to receive certification for Windows Vista, according to documents posted (.pdf) on the company’s site.
“Beginning with the release of the first beta of the next operating system, all Windows Vista client and Windows Server 2008 submissions must include a complete [set of] test logs for the new beta OS,” the company said in the document.
Although the company has disclosed a few tidbits about the OS, including multi-touch functions similar to what Apple Inc. now offers on its iPhone, Microsoft has not publicly set a release date for Beta 1…
Drivers don’t necessarily have to pass those tests in the first beta of Windows 7, said Microsoft, but the results must be turned over to the company. And Microsoft reminded the hardware makers and system sellers that it will hold them to account when Windows 7 nears. “Issues with hardware, system BIOS or drivers must be investigated and resolved by partners prior to the launch of the logo program for the new OS,” Microsoft said.
There are sufficient reason$ for someone to want to design products for Windows. Right?
P.S. Before anyone say “see that’s why Mac’s suck” => I’ve had the same problems with Toshibas, Dells, ThinkPads, and everything else. However, the Alienware Area-51’s are looking nice…
#12 and others: Criticize Microsoft for Vista. I have no problem with this. Do NOT criticize them for this move, which is a good move. Criticize the blunders, not the fixes. If you criticize them for learning from mistakes, you are part of the problem, and part of the reason corporations never makes real moves to admit and fix past mistakes.
ALL I want is an OS, not a protective security system that KILLS everything
I think I’ll stick with XP at least until Win 7 SP2 appears (and has been thoroughly checked out).
MS is up to it’s old tricks, this is just a move to firm up the grip on the manufacturers. When hardware manufacturers stop making XP drivers, MS hopes to sell more OS’s. This is just the kind of business strategy that converted Windows into a de facto monopoly. The funny part is, here they’re using the same kind of strategy to do away their old product as they used to use on the competition. It’s sort of like a snake that starts eating it’s tail, let’s just hope it finishes itself off.