Microsoft will include touch screen controls for the next generation of the Windows operating system.

The Redmond, Washington based software giant demonstrated its multi-touch technology yesterday at the All Things Digital Conference taking place in Carlsbad, California.

The feature allows users to guide actions on a touch-sensitive screen by sliding their fingers tips to position and resize objects.

Microsoft has used similar technology in a touch-screen tabletop it introduced last year.

Electronics manufacturer Apple Inc has used a type of touch-screen technology for its popular iPhone devices.

The next version of Windows is expected to launch in late 2009 or early 2010.

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