Microsoft stressing Ultrabook touch capabilities

As Microsoft® gears up for the launch of its touch-friendly Windows® 8 operating system, the software giant is reportedly urging manufacturers to include hardware for their Ultrabook™ computers that supports touch capabilities.

Technology news provider DigiTimes reports that Microsoft has been "actively involved in the outer designs of Ultrabooks," encouraging vendors to leverage the software's newly introduced Metro touch interface.

Touch capabilities are crucial to Windows 8's tablet computer functions, but industry observers have questioned whether the Metro interface will translate to more traditional clamshell form factors. Despite the speculation, Microsoft appears to be going all in with Metro.

One way that manufacturers plan to address touch-enabled Ultrabooks is by introducing new designs. Though some clamshell devices will include touchscreens, DigiTimes reports that manufacturers are also planning to launch "sliding- and folding-form factors," which allow the notebooks to function more like tablets in certain cases.

Display functionality has been one of the oft-cited factors that will ultimately determine the Ultrabook's success. Writing for CNET, Brooke Crothers has added that Ultrabooks must also boast high-quality, in-plane switching displays in order to compete with tablets and traditional laptops.