Windows 7 new ways to interact with devices

Windows 7 introduces a new way for you to interact with devices such as your mobile phone, digital camera, printer, or portable player. Device Stage has a new visual interface to make it easier for you to perform a series of operations on your device in Windows 7.

One might think that device Stage is a versatile version of AutoPlay because it displays all of the device-related applications, services, and information. Device stage not only shows USB-connected devices, but other links such as Bluetooth and WiFi-connected devices are also supported. Device stage does not need to install software to support it, just get the latest drivers from Windows Automatic Updates.

Device Stage can be customized by the device manufacturer, and different devices will have different interfaces. At Steve Ballmer's CES 2009 Keynote, Microsoft demonstrated the Snap to feature of Nikon D90. When Nikon D90 connects to a Windows 7 computer, you will be able to see the following custom Device Stage interface:

Device Stage Displays the application, service, and information associated with the device, especially some specific features, such as Nikon's my picturetown. Device Stage also supports the Jump Lists feature of Windows 7.

And after the mouse passes the device icon in the Windows 7 taskbar, some basic information, including power and storage, appears: