Microsoft has announced that it is all set to release its new operating system, Windows 8, towards October end. Release of Windows 8 is part of the software giant’s effort to ramp up its operating system for a variety of devices. The announcement came at Microsoft’s annual Worldwide Partner Conference in Toronto.
Communications manager Brandon LeBlanc said the company “confirmed that Windows 8 is on track to release to manufacturing (RTM) the first week of August” and “will reach general availability by the end of October.” Windows 8 will be available in 109 languages across 231 markets worldwide, he noted.
Windows 8 will use a new user interface based on Microsoft’s Metro design language. The Metro environment will feature a new tile-based Start screen similar to that of the Windows Phone operating system. Each tile will represent an application, and will be able to display relevant information such as the number of unread messages on the tile for an e-mail app or the current temperature on a weather application.
For Developers:
Windows 8 presents a huge opportunity for developers to build great new apps for a variety of form factors. If you’re a developer looking to get started developing apps with the Windows 8 Release Preview, I suggest reading this blog post from the Windows 8 app developer blog and this blog post from the Windows Store for developers blog. These two posts will have a lot of information, like where to go to grab the latest tools to begin app development. Developers can also visit the Windows Dev Center for more information on the Windows developer platform and what it means for the Windows 8 Release Preview. In the Windows Store today with the Windows 8 Release Preview, you will notice a lot of incredible new apps – this is just the beginning!
For Businesses:
For enterprise customers wanting to know more about what the Windows 8 Release Preview means for them – I suggest reading this blog post from Erwin Visser on the Windows for your Business Blog. The Windows 8 Release Preview provides a great opportunity to experience and try out new capabilities in Windows 8 specifically designed with businesses in mind.
For Consumers:
Are you really excited about all the new PCs available today but thinking about waiting for Windows 8? Well you don’t have to. We are also announcing today that starting on June 2nd, 2012, Microsoft will roll out the Windows Upgrade Offer in 131 markets including the US and Canada. Consumers who purchase eligible Windows 7 PCs that are preinstalled with Windows 7 Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate and include a matching and valid OEM Certificate of Authenticity through January 31, 2013 will be able to purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for $14.99 (U.S.) which will be redeemable when Windows 8 is generally available (the program expires in February 2013). For more on the editions of Windows 8, see this blog post. When consumers register for the Windows Upgrade Offer, they will be able to download Windows 8 Pro starting the day it’s made generally available and the upgrade comes with 90 days of support from Microsoft.
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