Windows 8 Release Date Announced

At long last, the newest Windows operating system has an official release date. Microsoft has announced October 26 of this year as the release date for Windows 8. Microsoft has not reported releasing Windows 8 as a standalone product but any users currently running Windows XP or later can upgrade. Or if PC lovers are feeling fancy they can purchase a new Windows 8 PC.

New Windows 8 Start Screen. Photo courtesy of WindowsSteamBlog.com

Since the release of the developer preview in 2011 and the consumer preview in 2012, over 100,000 operating system (OS) changes have been made. With over 1 million consumer preview installations it’s no surprise that user feedback was loud and diverse. The signature, revolutionary difference for Windows 8 is the Metro interface which exhibits a radical new direction for Microsoft and, quite possibly, all PC users.

Thanks to Microsoft’s new Metro user interface (UI), Windows 8 is a touchscreen friendly OS designed to give the look and feel of touch-based technology while catering to both mobile and desktop users. This Metro UI is a modified version of Microsoft’s older Metro UI for the Windows Phone and the Xbox 360 dashboard. So unsurprisingly, Windows 8 users familiar with these devices will notice some visual and operational similarities. Microsoft has also proudly introduced Windows 8 as an OS capable of operating on ARM architecture platforms. This means ARM-based hardware platforms, like tablets, can support Windows 8. This marks an astounding technological development that will most likely influence the innovative directions of other tech giants. Although largely optimized for touchscreen, the new OS still functions with desktop tools like the mouse and keyboard. Regardless, it appears Microsoft has developed their new OS in efforts to depart from traditional PC use to touchscreen.

For example, the entire start screen is optimized for the touch interface. No longer is there an iconic Windows start button but instead a sliding menu and large, touch-based panels for programs (or “apps” if you prefer). Instead of the original task bar a feature called the “charms bar” enables users to navigate tasks quickly without returning to the start screen. This is the Metro UI at work. It is only behind this revamped start screen that the beloved start button, task bar, file manager, and other familiar icons and computer operations exist. Jason Cross and Nate Ralph from PCWorld.com reported that the consumer preview of Windows 8 (on the Samsung slate) unveiled a fast, elegant, and smooth touch interface that took practice but was overall an adaptable and fun experience. Cross also noted his excitement for the new Metro apps. Supposedly, using HTML5 and Javascript, Microsoft has engineered more informative, user-friendly apps and will open a store where these apps can be downloaded. Cross also wrote his interaction with Windows 8 was “definitively diminished” when using his bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Perhaps this further exemplifies how the interface favors a touchscreen experience. Nate Ralph admitted he was “smitten” with the preview, albeit admitting Windows 8 would take some getting used to. However, if you scroll to the article’s comment section you find a much different response.

Charms bar feature. Photo courtesy of WindowsSteamBlog.com

PC previewers of Windows 8 express frustration with the Metro UI. Comments remarked that the Metro on desktop required “ultimate mouse dexterity” and was “not right for desktop use.” Others complained that the Metro “sucks if you don’t have a tablet” and confessed confusion over why Metro OS was replacing desktop OS. Adjectives like “arcane, clumsy, slow” were used in reference to the overall performance of the Metro UI on desktop. One positive commenter reported on the ingenious and unique addition of being able to view two applications simultaneously. However, his positivity among desktop users was few and far between. So while Windows 8 received a positive review on the Samsung slate, it seems to have seriously failed on the PCs many of us know and love. With varying responses like these, October 26 and the following months will serve as an important test for both Microsoft and this radical direction for operating systems.

If you’re interested in trying out the new Windows 8 for yourself, you can download the release preview from the Windows website.

 

Rachel Gray

Rachel Gray

Content Specialist at Gaming Illustrated
Rachel is a game aficionada who lives with her tuxedo cat, Ernest. Some of her favorite things include bears, Chik-fil-a chick-n-minis, White Russians, and Silent Hill 2. When jogging, Rachel attaches her mp3 arm attachment to her wrist and pretends it is a Pip-Boy.
Rachel Gray

@https://twitter.com/lilspookies

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  • http://www.crunkfitness.com CUHLAYTON

    I’m intrigued to play with the new OS for Windows 8, but I still like my Mac :( it was expensive.

    • Paul

      You don’t need to buy a new PC. Read the last paragraph:

      \\
      If you’re interested in trying out the new Windows 8 for yourself, you can download the release preview from the Windows website.
      //

      You can just download it and install on your old PC.

  • Ashish Ranjan

    I’m use in Windows 7 but I’m waiting for new OS for Windows 8.Thanks for Microsoft.

    • khan

      Same here

      • Maon

        Ive used the Windows 8 preview, which I only learnt afterwards cannot be downgraded back to Windows 7.

        My verdict?

        I’ve bough a mac!

        • Paul

          My verdict?

          who said you can’t install windows 7 back? i’m ready to do that next month… (i’m not going to buy it the 1st day it’s released… it’s so expensive…)
          anyway, you -_-(CAN)-_- downgrade to windows 7.

    • Paul

      hah… i already have windows 8 :D it’s awesome :D

  • Abdullah

    I have been trying the new OS win 8 and it is amazing. his way of organizing the CPU and RAMs. but it has small problems. such as identifying some drivers.and can,t play some games.but its still better than the old OS Win7.

  • Bill

    I have had enough of Microsoft’s every other bad OS releases. (ME, Vista, and Now Windows 8) being crammed down my hard drive. Long live my wonderful new MAC and yes it was worth it. really!

    • LPVOID

      Honestly, After living, and debugging most of microsofts operating system problems, it seems like their choices seem to be getting worse, each and every release. They don’t focus when there are major exploits in the systems they use as base software for the operating system. It’s like Windows ME/Vista all over again. And honestly, Do you really know what was the best OS microsoft has produced to date? In my opinion, Windows XP. It was easy to use, had many choices for themes, screensavers, etc, and Pinball. Everyone likes pinball.

      Windows 8 will be the fall of microsoft, and the uprising of Apple where Apple rightfully belongs. Apple has already gone through a lot, and thats why they make both the hardware, and the software. To ensure that crap like this doesn’t happen.

      Just my two cents,
      LPVOID.

      • Paul

        who said that?
        dude, give me ONE reason why windows 8 doesn’t look brilliant to you.

    • Paul

      you’re a noob.

  • Donovan

    MS!!! Stop getting so caught up with your company politics and get inovative instead of trying to play catch up to Apple & Google.. (read the latest on MS in August 2012 Vanity Fair)… How about integrating Kinect technology into the new OS-8 to help out the users that still have to use a keyboard and mouse… Geez it’s not rocket science… I currently have my PC connected to a HD projector.. Come on MS you own Kinect, so may people are using this type of interface… It will rival some of the televisions coming out at the moment with remote free computing…

    • Paul

      actually, MS is testing kinect integration into laptops… but kinect sensors are too expensive….
      and MS is NOT catching someone… google and *especially* apple are far behind MS.

  • Ray Henley

    After reading comments from people who seem to know computers better than I could ever hope, I think I’ll skip Windows 8, (seems like ME all over again), and wait until either a 8.1 version is released or a 9.

    I guess one word sums up my view of Windows 8…”scared”.

    Be well

  • Really!

    Mac users need to get a life!

    have any Mac user gone to apple site and see all the posting about apple problems?

    No, Mac users are to busy posting “flame” comments on my Microsoft blogs before they even learn there own product.