Windows 8 Pre-Beta Build Conference: 'Release Will Destroy Apple'
Microsoft unveiled the pre-beta version of its latest operating system, Windows 8 at its Build conference on Tuesday.
Despite still being in the intermediate stages of development, the system has received rave reviews from developers who have gotten a sneak peak.
Developers at the conference were treated to one of 5,000 free Samsung tablets with the system installed. The system was also available for free download on Microsoft’s website for a limited time on Tuesday for developers and the public alike.
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Many have speculated that Windows 8 could be a new favorite the computing world and developers are saying that the prediction is correct.
Boy Genius Report’s Zach Epstein has called the introduction of Windows 8 the post-post-PC era, after years of Apple domination with frequently updated OS systems and hardware as well as the inception of the iPad spurring the tablet computer craze.
"Hello, Windows 8? This is iPad. You win,” WinSuperSite editor Paul Thurrott tweeted.
Developers are especially enamored by Windows 8 touch screen capability as well as the versatility to switch from fingers to a mouse or keyboard.
Microsoft has done away with icons and replaced them with tiles, to make for a more user-friendly start screen.
The system operates on less memory than Windows 7, which will leave more room for apps.
As the answer to Apple’s Mac OS X and iOS, Windows 8 will be available for both PCs and tablets.
At the Build conference, head of Windows and Windows Live, Steven Sinofsky said Windows 8 "reimagines what Windows can be.”
“Things are a lot different than they were three years ago in computing,” said Steven Sinofsky, the head of Windows and Windows Live. “And they’re a lot, lot different than they were in, say, 1995, the last time Windows went through a pretty significant and bold overhaul.”
While the official release date of Windows 8 has not been revealed, it is speculated that it will be released in early 2012.
