HOWZAT

This month, the company was forced to abandon a $47.5 billion bid to acquire Yahoo!, the internet portal, in an attempt to wrest control of the internet from the search-engine giant Google. That collapsed because it could not agree a price, although Yahoo! was reluctant to be bought by a company seen as anathema to the entrepreneurial creativity of Silicon Valley.

Meanwhile, most of its customers — including businesses — have not upgraded their computers to Vista. The majority of the 140 million copies Microsoft says that it has shipped so far have been sold bundled with new machines. A video of Windows 7 on Microsoft’s website shows the technology being used to spin an on-screen globe, zoom in on a map, and scroll through menu lists in a gentle, flicking motion.

Yet, despite the slick demonstration, it is not clear that computer makers are clamouring to follow the Windows 7 ideal. Dell, the second-largest PC manufacturer, said that “multi-touch” was “interesting”, but declined to say whether it would release a touchscreen laptop in time for January 2010, when Microsoft said it expected Windows 7 to be introduced.

Looking back

Apple raises prospect of solar-powered iPhone

A patent application suggests that Apple is working out a way of powering portable devices with the sun

• Apple forced into iPhone contracts U-turn

Related Links

• Yahoo! shares slump after Microsoft walks

Windows 3.0 (1990)

Microsoft’s first succesful attempt at a graphical user interface (GUI). Still inferior to the look and feel of Apple’s Macintosh system, but PCs sold better than its overpriced rival. The tiled windows are still fondly remembered

Windows 95

Microsoft finally caught up with Apple, launching an operating system with an easy-to-use interface and natural language file names. Bill Gates persuaded Mick Jagger to allow the use of Start Me Up on its launch

Windows XP (2001)

After a succession of upgrades to Windows 95, XP came in. It was more stable than the 95 family and sold well, but had security flaws, exposed by the Sobig virus, which generated e-mails that filled in-boxes worldwide

Windows Vista (2007)

Software demands meant that only higher-end computers could run the system adequately. Concerns on compatibility held back uptake. Sold 20 million in first month. Bill Gates claimed sales of 100 million by Jan 2008

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