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I’ve been meaning to read this article for a while now and finally got round to it. Thus, the Windows 8 category begins with Paul Thurrott’s overview of some of the stuff coming with Windows 8.
Here are some highlights from the article if you don’t want to read the whole thing:
When Will Windows 8 be Released?
According to the article, Microsoft currently plans to ship Windows 8 by mid-2012; thus, the first beta should be released by mid-2011 and public beta should follow by the end of 2011. Windows Server “8”/2012 is also being developed concurrently.
User Detection
Windows 8 will likely support detection of which user just walked in the room so that it can automatically turn on your PC, log you in, and play your favorite music. When you get up and leave, Windows will automatically log your PC off for you.
Emphasis on Appliance-like Power On
System bootup speeds will probably improve a little (especially since SSDs are becoming standard) but Microsoft plan to emphasize the current power-saving features: Sleep and Hibernate, which they’ll probably rename to something like “Pause” or “Low-power Standby”.
Digital Media Support
Windows 8 should support the following emerging digital media formats:
- AVC HD (with chapter seek.)
- 3D video.
- Multiple MPEG-4 formats for the web.
- Improvements to MJPEG (webcams and still cameras.)
- MPEG-2 (decoding/encoding.)
- H.264 (encoding.)
- WMV Improvements .
Windows 8 should also come with native TV tuner support so third-party cards and software wont be needed for TV tuning (possibly to coincide witht he RJ45 digital media standard, which is coming.)
Next Generation Device Support
Windows 8 will natively support the USB 3.0 standard (and devices with USB 3.0) and Bluetooth 3.0 (but not Bluetooth 3.0 + High Speed.) Microsoft is also considering deprecating Firewire/IEEE1394 support (i.e. Firewire/IEEE1394 devices will still work but enhancements to support will cease.)
Software Purchases Through the Windows Store
It’s looking likely that Microsoft will adopt a similar (albeit a little less restrictive) software similar to Apple’s App Store. Software and upgrades will be available for purchase through this store. I look forward to the development of this feature.
Internet Explorer 9
Internet Explorer 9 will be part of Windows 8 (IE 9 beta is expected in August 2010 with a Released to Web version date TBD.)
Windows Live Wave 5
Windows Live Wave 5 be shipped/developed concurrently with Windows 8. (Windows Live Wave 4 will ship sometime in late 2010.)
Factory Reset Mode
Currently, if Windows goes pear-shaped, a quick solution (i.e. to not waste time troubleshooting non-hardware issues) is to format your drive and re-install Windows, which blows away personal settings, files (how to avoid this), and programs. The article alludes to a feature that will provide a factory reset without losing personal settings — yes please!
What’s your take on Windows 8? What have you heard? What would you like to see?
Read more: Windows 8: A First Peek
About Rich
Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix them.
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mmmm ….. lots of goodies to look forward to!
Oh yes :)
Great article Rich, I have found a spelling mistake:
“The article alludes to a feautre”
Thanks :) Updated
wow! windows 8 has very cool features,user detection is my favorite, anyway Rich good article
Woohoo! This is exactly what I'm waiting for. I would call it the “ultimate dream machine!” :)
I can’t wait to see window 8 come live on my leaving room. Reading from the article I see there are some very sophisticated features built into windows 8.
I here rumours that window will be able to run on ARM processors, if that the case then the Wintel monopoly will be broken for ever and for good.
source:
http://www.payasyougomobilephones.mobi
is an windows 8 transformation pack.exe for windows xp???????????
Details about the UI are not released, so there is not one available.
excelente
I’m forward to buy this W8 w/ IE9!
I would love that factory reset option that keeps your settings/files. I currently have a lot of bugs on my current W7 installation and I would love to reinstall my OS, but I am not looking forward to having to back up 500GB worth of data and restore all of the settings I have spent the last year tweaking to get my laptop to do the things I want it to do.
mmmm ….. lots of goodies to look forward to!
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