On Wednesday, Microsoft unveiled the beta version of its new Windows 8 operating system and released it for everyone to try. Instead of being called a beta, it was released as “Windows 8 Consumer Preview.”
It caught most tech writers, including me, completely off guard. Before the release, many journalists thought Windows 8 could be a major flop. Most have changed their tune. For example, USA today said, “we really are on the threshold of a whole new era of personal computing.”
Here is part of the reasons why: Windows 8 is designed to run both as a tablet and desktop operating system. It has both a touch interface and the standard desktop interface we are all used to. You choose which one you wish to use. And the “Metro” touch interface works equally well as a touch system or with a mouse. In other words, Windows standardizes everything in one operating system so a user can easily move from his or her desktop or lap environment to a Windows 8 tablet, with each having access to the other via Skydrive.
While Apple and Android tablets were built from smartphone operating systems, Windows tablets, when they appear, will be built from a computer operating system. What you run on your desktop will also run on your tablet. This makes so much more sense than any of the current tablets offer. As a user of an Android smartphone, I make many compromises and workarounds to get the important information from my desktop and on to my phone…not all successfully. I want simplification and Windows 8 maybe the answer…time will tell.
I was also surprised how much I like the Metro-style interface on the desktop. It makes so much sense in so many ways. I have something similar on my desktop now that continually shows me time and weather and links to my various apps, but Windows Metro goes beyond what I have done on Windows 7. I am excited to try it out.
I downloaded Windows 8 and will hopefully get it up and running on one of my computers this weekend. If you read the second article, you will find there are many ways to do an installation, including upgrading right on top of Windows 7. You can get Windows 8 from the Microsoft Web Site. Although Windows 8 final edition may not be available until late summer or fall, the Consumer Preview is good through January.
This edition of Rants and Raves is all about Windows 8, nothing else. I wasn’t planning to do that, but there is so much information about the operating system that I wanted to try and answer all your questions. Hopefully, you will be amazed as I am. - JRC
Welcome to the Windows 8 Consumer Preview
This article will serve as a high-level introduction of sorts, providing you with a basic overview of what's new and different in this second and most crucial milestone on the way to Windows 8. But scattered throughout the discussion below, you'll find links to numerous other articles about the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.
How to install the Windows 8 Consumer Preview
Believe it or not, it's a pretty easy thing to do. You don't need to look up an arcane command to access your BIOS, you don't need to partition a drive, and you don't need a blank DVD, a second PC or even a USB thumb drive... unless that's how you roll. With just an internet connection, you can perform the entire operation on any existing Windows 7 machine without any outside help, just so long as it fulfills the minimum requirements.
Windows 8 Beta: Hands-on with Microsoft's tablet-friendly OS
Microsoft pulled back much of the scaffolding and secrecy surrounding Windows 8 today at Mobile World Congress. I've been using the Windows 8 beta (download), officially known as the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, for the past week, and it's by far the most integrated and capable operating system Microsoft has ever put out. Includes a video.
Windows 8 Consumer Preview hands-on
Another in-depth look at all the new features of Windows 8, both as a tablet and desktop operating system.
Windows 8 Consumer Preview: The Windows 8 App Previews
A look at some of the new Metro-style apps that come with, or are available, with Windows 8 Consumer Preview. All apps in the Windows App Store are free during the preview period.
Windows 8 and bundling: What a difference a decade makes
Microsoft is taking some emboldened steps toward bundling formerly separate apps and services in Windows 8. For the longest time, bundling was a dirty word among Microsoft execs. It probably still is, given the trouble the Redmondians got into just a decade ago or so with U.S. antitrust authorities over “bundling Internet Explorer” with Windows.
Windows 8 Consumer Preview runs well on netbooks (mostly)
Windows 8 Consumer Preview may be optimized for computers with touchscreens and high resolution displays, but Microsoft’s latest operating system also runs reasonably well on netbooks and other older computers.
Windows 8 could leapfrog Android to be the true iPad competitor
The iPad isn't going anywhere: it has huge popularity, a massive app catalog, and dominating market share going for it. However, that spot at No. 2 seems wide open. Android tablets have been far from compelling thus far, leaving the doorway open for Windows 8 tablets to stake a claim that no other Windows tablets have previously been able to capture.
IE holds rival browsers at bay
This article includes a video showing off Internet Explorer 10. A preview edition of the new browser is included with Windows 8 Consumer Preview.
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