Longhorn - next gen Windows goes 3D

At WinHEC details are emerging of the graphics infrastructure for Longhorn, Microsoft's next generation Windows. The graphics interface at the driver level is going to be all DirectX 9.0, and the door is being left wide open for moving the Windows UI completely 3D. Microsoft has already started to tax the GPU on the PC with all its plans for "media rich experiences," as company execs like to call anything loud and colorful, but Longhorn is going to be a field day for the graphics industry. As one Microsoft developer told us, there's going to be no let up on the GPU with Longhorn. Finally, Microsoft is starting to think seriously about raising the base level graphics bar for Windows. We'll have more coverage of Longhorn's graphics architecture in our WinHEC converage tomorrow.