So far, in our Windows 7 Overview series, we have published the following:- Windows 7 beta quick review
- Windows 7: Action Center Overview
- Windows 7: User Account Control (UAC) Overview
- Windows 7: Calibate Your Display
- Windows 7: Federated Search
Device stage promises to be a huge part of Windows 7 and the way you interact with devices and hardware attached to your system. Microsoft is currently working with a wide range of partners to ensure their devices are fully device stage compatible at the 7 launch.
Microsoft has published a list of compatible hardware and only a handful of devices are currently supported. That said the device experience in Windows 7 is greatly improved with or without device stage.
When you first plug a device in, if it's a common device it will load drivers almost instantly compared to Vista. Printers, USB keys, webcam, external HDDs all install their drivers within seconds and are near instantly accessible compared to the waiting time of device driver installation in Windows XP and Vista. If 7 can't find drivers it will automatically search on Windows Update.
Today I want to look specifically at Device Stage and the experience you get when you plug in a Nokia N95 8GB phone.
Firstly the device will install and you will be presented with the following confirmation asking you whether you'd like to visit Nokia and download their own syncing software:
Next the device will place a taskbar tab on the superbar which shows a photo realistic image of your device:
If you click on the thumbnail it will present the following screen which has all the options for your device:
I chose the import pictures/video option, it will scan your device and find the relevant items:
You have options on where to import the data:
After the import is successful you can then tag your photos:
As well as being able to access features such as importing MP3s using WMP and links to the manufacturers manuals you can also change the way the device works when first plugged into your PC:
Devices that aren't fully supported may still work in device stage like my printer below which isn't on the official list, this way I do not need to install the manufacturers applications to scan from this all in one printer:
Microsoft has also posted a video detailing the way Device Stage works
Overall the experience with devices is greatly improved with Windows 7 from its predecessors, one can only hope that Microsoft ensures device manufacturers include this option for their Windows 7 drivers.
If you are interested in Windows 7 features please check out our previous overviews:Over the next few weeks we will be adding many more focus items on Windows 7 including Touch, Internet Explorer 8, Windows 7 networking and media enhancements. Stay tuned for the ultimate Windows 7 focus from Neowin.net.
only problem is that Windows 7 doesn't recognize it as a phone. it recognizes the modem and everything but an image of the phone does not appear, nor does it allow me to access it like the n95.
will try out the blackberry storm shortly and let you know if there is any difference...
honestly, my experience with cell phones and computer syncing has been that not using the PC suite which accompanies the phone is actually a better route to go. the pc suites often complicate the simplest of tasks anyways.
small update: choosing the file transfer option with the sony led to the pc recognizing it as a mem stick. the device, however, still does not appear as the nokie, and i doubt it will, for some time, at least.
Last edited by Medking on 10 Jan 2009 - 22:28
They have now. I've just set my HTC TyTN II with Windows 7 beta.
I tried installing drivers for the Photosmart C6380 (same machine you guys sent me
That's why I tried using the installer package from HP's site. Except that installer freezes.
That's why I tried using the installer package from HP's site. Except that installer freezes.
Can you extract the drivers from the HP installer then install the device manually?
it does get all the driver throgh
hopefully that gonna support ton more device by the time windows 7 get released
or that gonna sucks .
or another nail in the coffin ..... for my Cell phone ofc lol
Last edited by skynetXrules on 11 Jan 2009 - 14:50
Nero did not install at all in any mode, alcohol installed in vista mode but wanted to reboot over and over to finish. a shampoo burning suite installed ok but would not work. It is definitely quicker than vista but if things don't work it's no use to me. my V8 installs ok but motorola phone tools just didn't want to know, V5 of phone tools btw. MP12 seems to be getting a lot of press and if it has eventually the features of 11 it will be ok. Adding media is painfully slow if not in the default place.
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/Devic...ce/default.mspx
Could it be that I run a German version?
I noticed on Windows device support Nokia n95 8gb only in en-usa.
Any help?
Please post a screenshot of the Device Stage when you make it!
Suddenly everything seemed to work. MP installed the the n95 allright but
would not accept the German version of PC Suite 7.1. After downloading
Suite in en-us it worked after troubleshooting compatability.
Looks like the German Version is somewhat behind in updating.
PS: Made a screenshot but dont how to get it over or into here.
Last edited by fumble on 25 Jan 2009 - 16:14
Hopefuly it's just not integrated since those are leaked versions.
BTW, how come some devices are recognized at device stage, while others (e.g. keyboard) are not?
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