Sneak Peak at Windows 8

Finally some official information regarding the future version of Microsoft Windows, and boy can you say “radically different”? It feels like they’re really trying to push the whole singular interface across devices…not sure how I feel about that yet.

The fundamental goal with the new operating system, which is being shown for the first time at D9, is to create something that is equally well at home on an 8-inch tablet as it is on a powerful desktop attached to a huge monitor.

AllThingsD

  • I love the concept of the

    I love the concept of the desktop being more than just a static photo (or group of static photos)with some cluttered group of icons. The desktop is like a vast wasteland of unproductive space in Windows and MS has tried, but failed to really provide a meaningful information layer in the past (remember Live Desktop from Win98?) Hopefully, they nail it this time.

    Mike, I’m sure you can stick with the “classic” look in Windows 8.

  • Maybe I’d get use out of

    Maybe I’d get use out of those, a bunch of useful widgets on a 2nd monitor might be nice.  But I suspect it’ll be a lot like the sidebar in Windows and just get turned off.  As long as they never try a ‘Microsoft BOB’ style interface again, I don’t think I’ll complain too loudly.

  • most of it just seems like a

    most of it just seems like a gimmick to me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, having an animated wallpaper waterfall that eats up my CPU cycles was a brilliant idea and all, but….eh, call me crazy

    • An animated waterfall is the

      An animated waterfall is the same as a static photo: wasted space. If you check out thisismynext coverage, it shows off the demo more. And yes, if you hate it, Windows 7-style desktop is just underneath.

      If you check out the MS video they posted, it gives a demo of the UI.

  • TheEmirOfGroofunkistan

    nice, if you want to get used

    nice, if you want to get used to it early, get a windows phone.  

  • Does anyone else feel like

    Does anyone else feel like Windows 7 just came out?  I pre-ordered 2 copies of Windows 7 Upgrade when they offered it for $50.  I’ve never installed the 1 copy on my main PC.

    Instead of desktops and backgrounds, I’ll be happy if they can make a Media Center guide that updates like it’s supposed to.  My HTPC is not updating the guide again.  First it was because I had to manually put in DNS addresses.  Now I don’t have a clue why it’s not updating.  The logs say the update was successful but all I see is “No data available”.

    And where can you ask for advice?  The greenbutton is a freaking mess now!

    • The 3-year cycle is actually

      The 3-year cycle is actually the norm for MS releasing Windows versions. The gap between XP and Vista was an anomoly.

      Start up a thread for that issue in the forum here and we can go from there.

  • George L. Schmauch Jr.

    Maybe I’ll change my mind

    Maybe I’ll change my mind after using this GUI, but I just can’t see how this could be efficiently used with a mouse and keyboard.  Then again, if this is an attempt to rid the world of mice (save for gaming, of course), perhaps this actually could work using keyboard combinations alone.

    • skirge01 wrote:Then again, if

      [quote=skirge01]

      Then again, if this is an attempt to rid the world of mice (save for gaming, of course), perhaps this actually could work using keyboard combinations alone.

      [/quote]

      I’d argue a mouse is not needed now aside from games 🙂 Keyboard shortcuts FTW

    • skirge01 wrote:

      Then again,

      [quote=skirge01]

      Then again, if this is an attempt to rid the world of mice (save for gaming, of course), perhaps this actually could work using keyboard combinations alone.

      [/quote]

      I’ve seen reports of Kinect influenced facial recognition being in Windows 8.  If they were to mix and match that with the Kinect hack that turn any plane in 3d space into a multi-touch surface, they could have a real chance of getting rid of mice for a lot of stuff.

  • George L. Schmauch Jr.

    If I could easily manage my

    If I could easily manage my apps across 3 screens on my home computer via keyboard shortcuts, I’d probably be with you.