We all knew the Windows 7 interface was, er, inspired by Apple’s OSX, we never expected Microsoft to just come out and say it. That’s exactly what’s happened though.
If you’ve used Windows 7 you’ll probably have noticed the similarities to OSX. The Dock-like Taskbar and the Exposé-esque Aero Peek feature are two of the most prominent. Now a Microsoft manager has come out and admitted that Apple was a direct influence.
In an interview with PCR, quoted by AppleInsider, Microsoft Partner Group Manager Simon Aldous divulged:
“One of the things that people say an awful lot about the Apple Mac is that the OS is fantastic, that it’s very graphical and easy to use… What we’ve tried to do with Windows 7 — whether it’s traditional format or in a touch format — is create a Mac look and feel in terms of graphics.”
Yes… that’s a Microsoft manager saying that a lot of people love OSX and they copied it. Of course, we all know that they’ll discuss this stuff in board meetings… but in public? Well that’s very odd indeed.
Aldous goes on to suggest that Windows 7 is far more stable than OSX but the damage is done. He’d better hope he doesn’t incur that wrath of Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer – he’s famously a little crazy.
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