Windows, being one of the most used OS, brings great challenges for Microsoft to keep its users impressed in the next version of Windows.Although Windows 7 has done exceptionally well since its release, Microsoft has been constantly working to make the next version of Windows a better one by further improving upon the existing features, and have added new impressive Windows 8 features along with a stunning UI.
Microsoft released the early version of Windows 8 on a prototype tablet last week. Those of you who would like to taste and experience the all new Windows 8, you can download the Developer Preview, which is currently in pre-beta version. The developer version shows off the current stage of the OS.
Windows 8 New Features:
No Compatibility Issues in Windows 8The biggest reason that Windows Vista could never make it up to the mark of the sale it could have that, it was not compatible with many applications of Windows XP. I am sure there won't be any such problem and this will rather prove to be a Windows 8 new feature for the users.
Windows 8 – 128 Bit Operating System
Some people say that after the labor of 2 years, the Microsoft engineers will able to design a 128 bit Operating System which they will call Windows 8. Though it sounds impossible in one sense but it is also a rumor that Microsoft has allied with Intel to make 128 processors as soon as possible.
If this is a fact that Windows 8 is going to be a 128 bit operating system, then it will surely be a revolution in the operating system industry because no other operating system other than Windows 8 will be a 128 bit Operating System.
Windows 8 RAM support – 512 GB
When practicality goes hand in hand then Windows 7 64 bit edition supports 192 GB of RAM. According to that, if Windows 8 will be a 128 bit Operating system, then Windows 8 is surely going to support something around 512 GB of RAM, which I think would be a very big advantage for the server runners.
There is a rumor that the upcoming looks of Windows 8 are going to be something at which the users will become a fan just by seeing itself. I heard that some of the Windows 8 pictures were leaked on the net somehow. The Windows 8 new look can entirely be different than what it was in Windows 7 and Windows vista, with full change in the icon arrangement, program management, window flashback and Windows 8 taskbar.
Windows 8 LibrariesWindows 7 was full of new libraries in it. There may be many more such libraries in Windows 8 so as to enhance the Windows 8 new features functionality. The Windows 8 libraries might be able to include more functionality as well as security safeguards.
Windows 8 Security
Windows 7 became popular, far more popular than Windows Vista could ever become because of great security inclusions. Such security can also be called as Windows 8 security inclusions that mean that the Windows 8 people can also add new security inclusions and a better firewall to Windows 8.
HTML 5 and Javascript based Windows apps
A significant change to the Windows operating system is, Windows 8 will support a new App model with HTML 5 and Javascript as the native programming language. HTML 5 applications will be able to take advantage of the new UI model introduced in Windows 8. Microsoft mentioned that it's own proprietary technologies like .NET, Silverlight and WPF will be supported and it is unclear wether they can take advantage of the new UI library coming with Windows 8 to take advantage of the new touch and Tile based UI.
HTML 5 and Javascript Apps will be able to take full advantage of the new features in Windows 8 through the UI library provided with Windows 8, including hardware acceleration in Internet Explorer 10.
Windows 8 is a touch centric and touch friendly operating system
This is a big change to Windows in it's history. Windows 8 is touch centric. This means the way applications are developed is going to change. New Apps targeting Windows 8 will have larger icons, buttons and controls for easy touch operations. You can move, reposition and slide using your fingers. Windows Phone 7 already friendly, but this is getting in to the regular Windows based computers too. In other words, Windows is borrowing from Mobile OS.
Windows 8 will run on any devices
The gap between desktops, laptops, tablets, slates and phones are going away or at least being reduced significantly. Windows 8 can run on any devices including regular x86 processors and SoS chips. Windows 8 will combine features required for easy navigation and operation of any type of devices. You can use the tablet based touch operations on a desktop computer and use a mouse/keyboard with a tablet (if you wish to do so...).
The most significant aspect of this change is, you can develop applications for Windows 8 and that will run on several devices. This saves millions of dollars for enterprises in application development.
Windows 8 on a USB drive
Microsoft decided to respond to the challenges from Google Chrome by offering 'Take Windows 8 with you wherever you go. This feature is called "Windows 8 on USB drive" by the Windows 8 watchers. Since Microsoft has not officially named their features and the product itself, let us go by the name given by the Windows 8 lovers. Some others call this feature "Windows 8 portable workspace".
The good thing is, now you can take your Windows 8 profile and settings with you on your USB drive and get productive any where in the world and on any computer within minutes. However, the not so good news is, this feature will be available only for the enterprise license users.
Windows 8 App Store feature
App store became a very popular name among the iPod, iPad and iPhone users. If you are an Apple product user, you would have used App store atleast once. I am sure you will agree with me on how easy and reliable it is to buy the products from the integrated App store.
Better late than never. Microsoft is integrating the App store concept with Windows 8. The new Windows 8 will have an integrated App store where you can buy the tested, verified and reviewed products directly from your Windows. You can read reviews written by other buyers and also share your reviews on the items you buy.
There are lot of screenshots posted by various bloggers. However, we do not know if they are real or not. Wait couple of weeks to find more reliable information on the Windows 8 App store.
Ribbon UI in Windows 8
Have you noticed the ribbon UI in th eMicrosoft Office 2010? According to the available sources, Microsoft is expanding this kind of UI to the next version of Windows. I personally do not like the Ribbon UI so much, but if that is what Microsoft going for, I probably should start liking it! But I am not alone. When some websites started reporting the alleged screenshots of Windows 8 ribbon UI, a lot of people have expressed that they are complex, cumbersome and not very intuitive. Let us see how the ribbon UI is going to look like in the final release of Windows 8, if it makes it to there.
In the Ribbon UI, all the menu options are spread on a ribbon like toolbar instead of an organized text menu. You can reach most of the options in the application with 1 or 2 clicks on the buttons in the ribbon.
Modern Reader - The new built-in PDF reader for Windows 8
For most computer users, downloading Acrobat Reader is part of initial setup of the computer. Most software application vendors include Acrobat Reader in their product releases.
The scenario is going to change. Just like Internet Explorer became an essential piece of Windows, a PDF reader is also becoming part of Windows. According to the available but unreliable sources, Windows 8 will have a built-in PDF reader, which most people call it 'Modern Reader' currently. This will save you some time from installing Acrobat Reader on your computer. Modern Reader will feature Zomm in and out options, jump between sections, a back button to jump to previous spot etc. Also, Modern Reader supports side by side views. The name suggests it is just a reader, so you won't be able to edit PDF files using this tool. This is probably going to be a light weight document reader and you may need to install other third party software for advanced features.
3D support in Windows 8
Sterespoic 3D support is one of the earliest rumors on Windows 8. None of the leaked versions of Windows 8 or related documents confirm this. However, if Windows 8 really comes with the stereoscopic 3D support, it will be an interesting new feature.
Many electronic manufacturers including Televisions are switching to 3D versions. In fact, it is really hard to find a flat panel TV without 3D support. I recently purchased a 55-inch Sony Bravio TV. I was looking for a non-3D model, but I ended up buying a 3D model since I could not find a new model without 3D support. But one important thing with Sony TV is, you cannot watch 3D shows without buying an external 3D transmitter and 3D glasses. I was comfortable watching the 2D shows in the TV and did not bother to purchase the 3D transmitter and glasses.
I am not sure what will be the case with Windows 8 computers. Are they going to come with simple 3D support, but no 3D display until you connect your laptop to a 3D display system? Are we going to need separate 3D glasses? Or, will it come with built-in 3D glasses?
3D laptops of computers are going to get any attention only if they come with built-in 3D glasses. Otherwise, no computer engineer is going to buy 3D glasses and wear it before he open his computer.
Steve Ballmer indicated in a recent demonstration that Microsoft is planning to extend Windows to support ARM processors. In an official press release early this year, Microsoft announced the upcoming version of Windows will support System on a Chip (SoC) architectures on x86 and ARM architecture. Support for ARM processors will be a significant change in Windows 8. This will allow OEMs to install Windows 8 on small devices like netbook, smartphone and similar devices. Obviously, Windows running on small devices will have it's own limitation. The success of Windows 8 on ARM systems will depend on how well they can compete with the fast growing Android and iOS. The tech watchers are expecting that Microsoft will offer a good challenge to Android.
Many of the statements in the official press release indicates that the next version of Windows will be giving due importance for tablet based computer systems. Microsoft does want to turn a blind eye towards the threat from the iPads and Android tablets.
