Windows 8 [Demo][Review][HD]

Software, Tablet PCs
Microsoft unveils Windows 8 (video)
By Sean Hollister posted Jun 1st 2011 7:05PM
Breaking News

We're live from Microsoft Windows president Steven Sinofsky's keynote at D9, and there's something rather exciting on stage -- a pair of experimental Windows 8 dev boards running an OS that looks very much like Windows Phone 7's Metro UI. All Things D actually sat down with the man earlier today and got a sneak peek at what to expect starting with the live tiled screen you see above -- and yes, like Windows Phone 7, this OS is designed for touch.

There'll be two kinds of applications for Windows 8, one that runs in a traditional desktop, and the other pseudo-mobile apps based on HTML5 and Javascript, but both environments -- rather, the entire OS -- have been designed from the ground up for touchscreen use. Keyboard and mouse will still be options for both sets of programs, but there are multiple virtual sets of keys for different form factors, including a split keyboard for vertical slate use. Multitasking is simply a matter of swiping running apps into the center of the screen, and you can pull windows partway to "snap" them in place alongside other windows -- even mixing and matching traditional desktop programs with web apps simultaneously (like Twitter alongside your spreadsheet). There's a new version of Internet Explorer 10 (which runs Silverlight) and an app store built into the touchscreen interface, along with integrated services like Office 365. Microsoft says the new OS will run on laptops, tablets and desktops when it appears -- whenever that might be.

All Things D didn't have any details on when we'll get pricing or availability, but we're looking at some Intel Atom-based demo units on stage right now, and Microsoft says it will have ARM designs (the OS will support NVIDIA, TI and Qualcomm) viewable on the Computex show floor, and more will be revealed at the Build Windows developer conference in September. We should note that "Windows 8" is just a codename for what we're seeing here -- "we'll figure out the real name in due time," Sinofsky told the crowd -- but we don't see much harm in calling it Windows 8 for now. Via engadget.com

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• breaking news
• d9
• Microsoft
• operating system
• OperatingSystem
• OS
• steven sinofsky
• StevenSinofsky
• tablet
• tablet pcs
• TabletPcs
• tablets
• touchscreen
• video
• windows
• windows 8
• Windows8

[8Corei7]

BUT WILL IT BLEND ?

[MrJefsey]

I dont like it.

[Xonnaxis]

this will not be good for PC gamers it looks more suited to tablets and touch screens

[muhammadrazman]

@bc71766 where's windows 2000???

[bc71766]

Lol win 98 is good , win me sucked, win xp is good , win vista sucked, win7 is good ,win 8 is going to suck ... I take my chances and wait for win 9

[xentrox]

Fuck this Mac-Wannabe unified UI shit. Microsoft is trying so damn hard to be Apple. I don't understand why. I love my PC the way it is. I can customize the living fuck out of it. I don't want to be limited to using their stupid mosaic-obsession portal.

[EpicMusicNuts]

@MrJefsey Use ubuntu or a linux distro( like me!! :D)... or if you're rich and into spending a lot of money for the sake of spending money buy a mac

[CraigHatmaker]

Pros - Works across all platforms

Cons - Works across all platforms. Malware on my phone?? Yikes!!!!

[BeyondXtheXinvisible]

@8Corei7 yes it can :P install windows8 and then install win98 on virtual machine,and then make a log file,telling win8 that win98 is the codename for win9,it will blend at once :P

[Raptor89994]

win 7 is a lot better

[Raptor89994]

7's better

[MasterDuckBringer]

"It's gonna run on Laptops, Desktops, PC's with Mouse and Keyboard"

Yeah not my Desktop.