Windows 7 to be available for download this week – Steve Ballmer announces at CES

Steve Ballmer has announced that the Windows 7 Beta1 will available for download sooner this week, possibly by Jan 9th itself.   Delivering the keynote at CES 2009, the Microsoft head declared that “Our TechNet and MSDN customers can get Windows 7 Beta 1 right now.” The rest of the world must wait until Friday.

“Windows 7 should boot more quickly, offer better battery life and have fewer alerts,” said Ballmer, indicating that atlast, some serious efforts were on at Microsoft to set right the slow booting and pperation of Vista systems. Steve also indicated that the new version of Windows will allow PC makers to offer more touch-screen capabilities with desktops and notebooks.

Microsoft has also announced about the search partnership for Verizon Wireless, which will allow Microsoft to install Live Search in those phones that use Verizon software.

Steve also announced the partnership with Facebook. “You can now connect Facebook with Windows Live,” Steve said.  In another significant announcement, Steve revealed the partnership with Dell in which all the Dell company PCs will come pre-installed with Windows Live Search and Essentials.