HP redesigns its Magic Canvas software, plans to install it on all desktops (even non-touch ones)

Though HP announced two desktops today, the most interesting tidbit might not be the computers, but the software installed on them. As the company releases new hardware, it's also rolling out a revamped version of its Magic Canvas UI (formerly known as TouchSmart). Now, it'll work even on PCs without touchscreens, and it's going to ship on every HP tower and all-in-one, including already-announced models like this. The most significant improvement is that you can now access the Start Menu and all your Windows apps, even when you're immersed in this UI that frankly looks more like a mobile OS than Windows 7. (If all this reeks of bloatware, you can uninstall or choose not to launch it.) As for that mobile-inspired experience, we're talking about those widgets and large, finger-friendly shortcuts, sure, but also the fact that you get an unlimited number of home screens for pinning notes and leaving documents open. Forget where you left your 15-page term paper? You can right click to bring up a search screen (we're not clear if there will be a keyboard shortcut for that). As we said, you can expect this to become ubiquitous on HP's desktops but if you want to see it in action now, you can head past the break for a short promo video.

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HP redesigns its Magic Canvas software, plans to install it on all desktops (even non-touch ones) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/04/hp-renames-its-touchsmart-software-magic-canvas-plans-to-instal/

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