There has been a lot of talk about Windows 8 recent, as it was announced that Windows Store will be integrated into all Microsoft products including Windows 8. However, when this was announced they accidently released that the Windows 8 beta will be available in late February 2012. Obviously Microsoft is yet to officially confirm this, but it is nearly 100% accurate.
This release date is much less consistent with a August or September release, so we are expecting Windows 8 to be officially released January 2013 (as seen with Windows Vista).
A lot of people thought that Windows 8 would have a black screen of death, but after making it available for release yesterday it turns out to not be the case. In reality they have a very nice blue screen of death.
Microsoft has just launched the developer preview for Windows 8.
This of course makes the news extremely important for developers and startups looking at this space, including those working with Windows Phone and Nokia.
Here is one of the first videos that shows off Windows 8 tablet edition. Microsoft have made it very easy to move between standard Windows and a tablet edition (which looks very much like Windows Phone 7).
Microsoft seems to be the latest company to get App Store fever! There have already been a few Windows 8 leaked images and here is the latest. The above image is leaked from Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 and its of the new Windows App Store.
It seems like Microsoft is trying to bring together the designs of IE9, Windows and Windows Phone 7. The Windows App Store seems very similar to the design of Internet Explorer 9.
There has been a lot of new leaked about Windows 8. Now, we have come across the Windows 8 login screen. It seems like Microsoft has used the Metro UI from Windows Phone 7 and transfered it to Windows 8.
Windows 8 beta version is slated for released during late 2011 or early 2012.
I find the revolving door of technology crazy at times. With IE9 only being launched only yesterday, IE10 rumours are already upon us. It is being rumoured that IE10 will be launch at the same time as Windows 8 (which would make a lot of sense).
Win7China claims to have a solid source that has released the information, and in the past this source has been on the money. If Windows 8 launch dates are correct, then IE9 will be a little over a year old when its expected that IE10 takes over.
There has just been another leak of a Windows 8 image. This image comes courtesy of Winreview.ru. There is a subtle difference including new min, max and close buttons, a flatter styling (to better align with Metro) and a few other nuances.
So far from an aesthetical point of view there isnt much difference between Windows 8 and Windows 7. However, it is still very early days and im sure there are a lot more releases to come.
Windows 8 is expected to RTM in 2012 with the latest rumor suggesting an early January 2013 retail availability.
It has been noticed that a Windows 8 theme for Windows 7 has been released. Windows 8 images have been previously leaked, but there is still no announcement on its development progress. Anyways, here is a Windows 8 theme that features 4 wallpapers and a simple colour scheme.
You don’t have to be a genius to be certain that Microsoft is working on the next Windows version for a while now. And even though there isn’t much around about it, gathering a lot of hints, here’s a report about possible (and some certain) next features:
Hibernation improvements: Windows 8 will include a special Hibernation/Resume API that will replace Windows Vista Xpress compression engine used in the hibernation process. Windows 7 includes some improvements in this area, but they are promising a whole new experience.
Kernel security enhanced. PatchGuard feature (Windows’ kernel security module) will provide a new and enhanced security.
Maintaining and improving DirectAccess feature for mobile users. Presented in Windows 7 (along with BranchCache), DirectAccess brings a better experience for mobile users outside the organization.
New user interface. Nothing much about this, but they are promising a new one.
Improvements in the Remote Desktop protocol and other Server tools.
New download experience.
New networking features.
Windows 8 Application Server. For the server version, will include (like already has) the application server role but with a new strategy.
This new operating system, since it will be a major release that will include also the server version, will be in 2012. But still is too early to be certain about things.
On a side note, once I’ve heard that Microsoft always uses a transition operating system in the middle of the main releases. For example: Windows Millennium (between Windows 98 and Windows XP) and Windows Vista (between Windows XP and Windows 7). So, where do you think Windows 8 is?
