One giant leap: Windows 8 is here. Or at least it will be within days.
Microsoft has just confirmed it will be making a gala appearance at the World Mobile Congress 2012 in Barcelona later this month debuting its new tile based Windows 8 hybrid OS, designed for tabs, smartphones and desktops.
We’re not sure what Microsoft has up its sleeve for the Windows 8 Consumer Preview as the invitation it sent out this week gives nothing away, bar confirmation ‘8’ will make its first appearance from 3-5pm at Barcelona’s Hotel Miramar.
Beta version of the follow up to MS Windows 7 will feature some radical new features not ever previously revealed on developer blogs, say reports.
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| Samsung Windows 8 tablet |
Chief among these is the dropping of the ‘Start’ button that has long occupied the left-bottom corner of the Windows desktop, which will be replaced by a “hot corner” and a user interface that offers previews of “where you will navigate to after clicking on the new visual element,” according to The Verge.
The interface can be activated either by mouse clicks or touch.
The date of the Windows 8 launch, on leap day February 29, is also symbolic as it marks a major leap in Microsoft’s strategy, which now sees it going hell for leather after the mobile tablet consumer – as opposed to its stronghold desktops and laptops.
Read Forget iPhones: Windows No.2 By 2015 – Analysts
The tile based interface linking to applications is tipped to be the one to watch on tabs this year, while analysts believe it will be the number 2 phone operating system behind Android by 2015, knocking Apple off its perch. Several vendors including Samsung have already said they will release a W8 tab.
The Redmond based giant is expected to allow consumers to download a preview of the new software, following the Feb 29th event.
One of its ‘8’ major strengths is the fact it will be be used seamlessly across all PCs and phones, and lets not forget some version of Microsoft Windows powers over 80% of desktops, currently.
And that not all who will be appearing at the mobile event – the CEOs of HTC, Nokia and Vodafone, as well as eBay, Electronic Arts, and Google, will be making keynote speeches at the GSMA Mobile World Congress, kicking off 27th February at the Fira de Barcelona Montjuic in Barcelona.
