Windows 8 Consumer Preview: features, apps, install guide, and more
That escalating sound you hear is the approaching juggernaut of Microsoft's next big OS iteration, Windows 8. Ahead of the usual release candidates and eventual release in the latter part of 2012, Windows 8 is being shown off to the world in a Consumer Preview build launched at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
Nvidia's new graphics drivers are certified for Windows 8
If you had any reason to suspect that Nvidia wouldn't have fully-functional graphics drivers in time for Windows 8, you can probably dismiss them now: the company's new R302 drivers have been WHQL-certified by Microsoft specifically for the new operating system. That's the word from Nvidia's official blog, which explains that the R302 drivers are specifically for Windows 8, as earlier versions of the operating system will stick with R300 drivers. The new branch includes support for all the...
Microsoft to let Windows 8 web browsers play nice with Metro, Firefox version in the works
We previously heard that Mozilla was planning a Metro version of Firefox, and now developer Brian R. Bondy has announced that the company has begun work on it. While that's good for Firefox fans, the real news is that the program is going to belong to a new, third type of Windows 8 apps: "Metro style enabled desktop browsers." We're still trying to figure it all out (and we think Microsoft is too), but from what we understand, this new, third type is an exception to Microsoft's rules and lets...
Bing Maps gets a new SDK for Metro style apps in Windows 8
Microsoft has released a new SDK for Bing Maps designed to help developers integrate the mapping service into their Metro style apps for Windows 8. The SDK is a beta release, and includes a new Javascript control along with support for developers using C#, C++, and Visual Basic. It'll provide features such as traffic overlays and hardware accelerated rendering, and should go some way to improving compatibility in a similar way to how Enyo works with Bing Maps on webOS. Microsoft has also...
Microsoft improves Windows 8 themes with panorama wallpapers, new features
If you're anything like us, you'll be making an effort to spend the majority of your time using Windows 8 within its wonderfully-modern Metro interface. Still, the occasional visit to the classic Windows experience will be pretty much unavoidable. It should come as good news then that the company has taken steps to spruce up the appearance of that traditional UI, bringing new and improved theme functionality to Windows 8. The biggest addition is the ability to create panoramic background...
How to: bring back the Windows 8 Start menu and Start button orb
Microsoft took the bold steps of removing the traditional Windows 8 Start menu and Start button orb from its Windows 8 Consumer Preview last week. Desktop PC users are currently debating the merits of the Windows 8 Start Screen replacement and Microsoft's mouse / keyboard improvements in the latest beta copy, but some want the Start menu and Start button orb back. Microsoft MVP Vishal Gupta has discovered a rather quick and easy way to re-enable both options in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview:
...
Kobo e-reader app available for Windows 8 with new UI, library search
If you watched our Windows 8 Consumer Preview liveblog yesterday, you might have noticed the Kobo icon peeking out once or twice onstage at the event. Well, if you take a look at the Windows Store on a device running the new OS, you'll notice that the Kobo app is available for download, making it one of the only e-reader apps (along with Amazon's Kindle) to be available with the launch of the new store. Kobo's app features a revamped UI that's a little different from what it offers on other...
Windows 8 Consumer Preview downloaded a million times on day one
Microsoft has just tweeted out the news that its Consumer Preview build of Windows 8 has been downloaded one million times within the first day of availability. Although still in its beta form, Windows 8 has attracted attention and sparked imaginations in a very big way, so it's little surprise to see the download counter crossing into seven figures so quickly. In total, the day one downloads tally up to over three and a half petabytes of data, or about 41GB per second. Using the...
Microsoft bets on Windows 8 to succeed where Android has failed
The battle for number two is about to get serious.
A quick look through the halls of Mobile World Congress reveals an endless number of iPads, quite a few Android tablets, and almost no touchscreen Windows PCs. But Microsoft is here in Barcelona promising that balance will change dramatically by next year — the company just released Windows 8 Consumer Preview, a beta version of a radically new version of Windows built with tablets specifically in mind. And while Windows 8 has a long way to...
Windows 8: touch vs. keyboard and mouse navigation (hands-on video)
Microsoft has greatly improved its keyboard and mouse support for the Metro style Start Screen in Windows 8 Consumer Preview. We got the chance to try out a ViewSonic P100 this week and compared the touch controls to a traditional laptop. There are seven key gestures in Windows 8 Consumer Preview and a bunch of new keyboard shortcuts, improved from the often critiqued Developer Preview version. Microsoft has listened to the feedback from developers and implemented equal ways to access the...
Windows 8 vs. iPad: feature by feature
Microsoft's Windows 8 Consumer Preview was made available to download yesterday, giving everyone a chance to experience the company's most revolutionary change in user interface since Windows 95. The interaction paradigm has shifted from a mouse-centric desktop to a touch-friendly, highly visual Metro style UI. The old Start orb has been retired and replaced by a Charms bar, which is brought to life with an inward swipe from the right. A swipe from the top down dismisses the app you're in and...
Microsoft Windows 8 Consumer Preview event videos now available online
Microsoft covered a lot of ground this morning, giving us a look at the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, the new OS running on ARM tablets, and the Windows Store. If you've read our live coverage and hands-on articles and still want more, you're in luck: Redmond has posted videos of the event on its website for streaming or download. Head on over here to see it all for yourself.
How to install the Windows 8 Consumer Preview
By Dante D'Orazio and Sean Hollister
Had enough of our Windows 8 Consumer Preview coverage, and want to boldly install the downloadable public beta for yourself? Believe it or not, it's a pretty easy thing to do. You don't need to look up an arcane command to access your BIOS, you don't need to partition a drive, and you don't need a blank DVD, a second PC or even a USB thumbdrive... unless that's how you roll. With just an internet connection, you can perform the entire operation on any...
Windows Store hands-on and video
With today's Windows 8 Consumer Preview debut, Microsoft is also launching an apps marketplace in the form of the Windows Store. The Store is hardly overflowing with apps on launch — we're not seeing much in the way of Twitter clients — but you'll still find a nice selection including apps like MSNBC, Vimeo, Photobucket, Evernote, Cut the Rope, and more. Kindle and Wordpress apps, among others, are on the way. How's Microsoft's newest store hold up? Read on!
Windows 8: a closer look at Xbox Live, Music and Videos (pictures and video)
Microsoft's entertainment strategy for Windows 8 appears to be closely aligned with its Xbox work. The software giant has included Music, Videos, and Xbox Live integration into Windows 8, alongside a powerful Xbox Live companion application. The Xbox Live hub in Windows 8 Consumer Preview allows users to get access to their friends list, recently played games, and avatar settings. Some of the preinstalled games in the Consumer Preview also include Xbox Live integration and you can also access...
Windows 8 on an 82-inch display hands-on video
One of Microsoft's surprises during the Windows 8 Consumer Preview demo event was the fact that the massive 82-inch display at the back of the stage was actually a touchscreen. Not only that, it was plugged into a PC running Windows 8 and Steven Sinofsky and Mike Angiulo went to it to demonstrate just how versatile the OS is and how well its experience scales across form factors. We couldn't let them have all the fun, however, and went up for a closer look ourselves.
Windows Store launches for Windows 8
Microsoft has just launched the Windows Store for Windows 8, in the hopes of making the user experience of finding new software even easier. In line with other elements of the OS the Store adopts the Metro style, and promotes popular apps and games including USA Today and Cut the Rope. The store features a number of new Metro-styled apps from both Microsoft and third-party developers, including Kindle, WordPress, and iCookbook. Versions of apps will be available for both ARM and x86, with the...
Microsoft to reveal more Windows 8 Enterprise details at CeBIT conference next week
During today's Windows 8 keynote, Microsoft showed off a previously-known Enterprise features like Windows To Go, which allows a computer to boot into Windows 8 off of a USB stick. Microsoft also demoed "Storage Spaces," which allows a Windows 8 machine to act as a hard drive array, providing simple, massive storage to any computer on the network. It seems as though there's yet more to Windows 8 Enterprise that the company has yet to reveal, but more will be revealed next week at the CeBIT...
Microsoft demos Windows 8 on an 82-inch, pen-friendly Perceptive Pixel PC
Microsoft made a lot of announcements today, but one of the things it didn't talk much about was the giant, 82-inch, pen-friendly PC that the company used to demo some Windows 8 features. It's a Perceptive Pixel PC — Perceptive Pixel was founded by Jeff Han, who at TED in 2006 demonstrated touchscreen interfaces that were remarkably ahead of their time. It's a Gorilla Glass display, and is also touch- and pen-enabled; this thing puts the Galaxy Note to shame. It's just one of many devices...
Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5
To go along with the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, Microsoft is releasing Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5. While Internet Explorer 10's radically redesigned interface has been available to developers for some time now, consumers will now be able to try Microsoft's new Metro-influenced take on the browser when they install the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, which is available now. As we already knew from previous developer previews of IE 10, the app will feature a redesigned "Metro" mode as...
Windows 8: system requirements for the Consumer Preview
You can download the Windows 8 Consumer Preview (read: public beta) right now, and while we're afraid you won't be able to install it on your ARM tablet, just about any x86 desktop, laptop, or slate in recent memory should be able to run the new OS. All you need is a 1GHz processor, 1GB of RAM (or 2GB for 64-bit), 16GB of storage (or 20GB for 64-bit), and a DirectX 9 graphics card with WDDM 1.0 support. That said, you won't be able to take advantage of all the new features of Windows 8...
Microsoft shows off ARM-based Windows 8 tablets
Microsoft is using its Windows 8 Consumer Preview event to show off some examples of hardware that'll come fresh out of the box with the new OS when it ships later this year. The company has demonstrated both ARM and Intel x86 flavors of Windows 8 running on reference machines. While the traditional Intel-based version is somewhat of a known quantity thanks to the developer preview, we haven't been able to see much of the ARM variety for ourselves — especially to what extent it'll be able...
Windows 8: a closer look at how the new Start button works
Microsoft has removed the Start button orb from Windows 8 but its replacement is a lot more fitting for the company's new operating system. A number of new gestures, for touch and keyboard / mouse, will activate various controls in Windows 8, but one of the new features is a preview-like task switcher. Activated from the lower left or top right of the screen, it allows Windows 8 users to switch through recently opened applications.
The Start button still exists and is available in the charms...
Microsoft shows off third-party Metro apps: Kindle, WordPress.com, and more
We're starting to see the first demos of working Metro apps for Windows 8. Amazon has created a Metro version of its Kindle app — no surprise, really, given that the company has been supporting as many platforms as possible, PC included. Microsoft also showed a dedicated WordPress.com app lets you share content directly with a charm. A Cookbook app got some attention as well, and Cut the Rope was shown to demonstrate how easy it was to turn HTML5 content into full apps.
On a tour of the new...
Windows 8 Consumer Preview hands-on
Microsoft is releasing the Consumer Preview of Windows 8 today, a highly anticipated software release from the company that marks the introduction of a full touch interface for Windows. The software giant has attempted to bring touch functionality to Windows over a number of years, but Windows 8 goes a huge step further by introducing a separate environment for new applications, designed with touch and Metro style in mind, to the masses of Windows users.
Windows 8 Consumer Preview now available to download
The wait is finally over as Microsoft has published the highly anticipated Consumer Preview copy of Windows 8. Available as a public download, the Consumer Preview build includes access to Metro style applications and the over 100,000 changes Microsoft has made since the Windows 8 Developer Preview. You can download it here.
The download comes bundled with a setup tool or in the form of an ISO file. The Consumer Preview it is currently available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions in English,...
Windows 8 Consumer Preview wallpapers leak ahead of grand debut
Microsoft's Windows 8 operating system takes to the stage today at Mobile World Congress for its Consumer Preview grand unveil. We are just a few hours away from seeing the final beta copy of Windows 8 and we've got an early glimpse at the wallpapers available in the Consumer Preview. Six wallpapers have been leaked, including a Metro style version of the popular Windows 7 betta fish. Other highlights include some floral shots and a few different photos of various islands.
Some of Microsoft's...
Windows 8 Product Guide for Business promotes bootable USB drives, download screening
We were surprised this morning to see that, only a few hours before the Windows 8 Consumer Preview is scheduled to be released, Microsoft posted its Product Guide for Business for the new OS. 16 pages long, the guide is Microsoft's first sales pitch for the new operating system and highlights 10 of its key benefits. While these of course include the new touch-based user interface and start screen, Windows to Go — a new feature to Windows 8 — gets a lot of coverage as well. Windows to Go...
Microsoft readies final Windows 8 Consumer Preview build 8250
Microsoft is on the verge of signing off the final version of its Windows 8 Consumer Preview. That is the word from a number of sources who tell us that the company has stopped compiling beta builds of Windows 8. The final build will be signed off officially on Friday and is expected to be numbered 8250.
Microsoft will unveil its Windows 8 Consumer Preview work during a special event at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona next Wednesday. We are told that the company will release the...
New Windows Store screenshots show Bing Maps app for Windows 8
Microsoft is still putting the finishing touches on its Consumer Preview version of Windows 8 but freshly leaked images show that the company will offer Bing Maps in the new Windows Store. We brought you news of the preinstalled apps for Windows 8 Consumer Preview, but Chinese site PCBeta has posted some screenshots of the applications available in the Windows Store. Games like Flow, Hive Mind, PuzzleTouch, Cut The Rope, and Train Titans are all visible but the biggest addition is Bing Maps.
B...
Microsoft unveils new Metro style logo for Windows 8
Microsoft officially confirmed the new branding for its Windows 8 operating system today. The new Windows logo, a play on the company's internal Metro design, will be used across the upcoming Windows 8 operating system. We saw images of the logo leak earlier this week, but the company unveiled it officially today stating that the logo is a Window rather than the traditional flag found in earlier versions of Windows. "We wanted the new logo to be both modern and classic," says Microsoft's Sam...
New Windows 8 accessibility features detailed
When the Windows 8 public beta launches later this month, Microsoft will be introducing improvements to two of the OS's key accessibility features, the Narrator and Magnifier. The Narrator — which reads on-screen content for the visually impaired — is said to be more responsive, support more languages and voices, and be able to read additional UI components. It has also been optimized for touch screens, with a feature called "exploring" that will read out what it is you're touching as you...
Microsoft to launch Windows 8 'Consumer Preview' on February 29th
Microsoft revealed today that it plans to launch the highly anticipated "Consumer Preview" version of Windows 8 on February 29th. The company will hold an event at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on February 29th to launch the Windows 8 Consumer Preview between 3PM and 5PM (CET). The unusual choice of venue (a cellphone conference) could hint at the company's plans for the future of Windows 8 and Windows Phone.
Details on Windows Phone 8, codenamed Apollo, leaked last week and...
First Windows 8 'Consumer Preview' preinstalled apps revealed
Microsoft's Windows 8 "Consumer Preview" is nearing release and the company is putting the finishing touches on the preinstalled application list. We have learned from sources familiar with Microsoft's plans that the company will bundle in a number of Metro style applications:
- Camera
- Messaging
- Calendar
- SkyDrive
- People
- Photos
- Video
- Music
These applications, and possibly more, will come preinstalled for the Consumer Preview release, and will be updatable from the Windows Store. Mail,...
Exclusive: First Windows Store games for Windows 8 revealed
Microsoft is readying its Windows Store for a public preview and the "Consumer Preview" version of Windows 8 will provide access to a number of launch games for the company's latest operating system. A source familiar with Microsoft's plans has revealed a list of games that will be available in the preview version of Windows Store:
- Hydro Thunder
- Toy Soldiers
- Reckless Racing
- Angry Birds
- Ilomilo
- Rocket Riot
- Full House Poker
- Tentacles
- Crash Course
- Ms Splosion Man
- Wordament
Pinball and S...
Windows 8 build 8220 screenshots demonstrate improved Charms bar
Microsoft's Windows 8 Start button has been removed but new screenshots leaked today offer a closer look at an improved charms bar and desktop experience in the company's "Consumer Preview" release. Chinese site PCBeta has supplied a number of new screenshots from build 8220, a near-final copy of Windows 8 Consumer Preview, that confirm the Start button removal and show off the transparent Charms bar that offers similar functionality and access to search, share, start screen, devices, and...
Windows 8 Start button removed by Microsoft in 'Consumer Preview'
Microsoft has taken the bold step of removing the traditional Windows Start button from its Windows 8 "Consumer Preview." The Start button and menu were introduced with Windows 95 over 15 years ago, and it appears Microsoft will scrap both of them once Windows 8 is released later this year. Screenshots of a near-final Windows 8 "Consumer Preview" version (build 8220) leaked to the internet this weekend, and show a Super Bar without the Start button orb. In previous test builds Microsoft had...
Microsoft teases Windows 8 'Consumer Preview' with Bing betta fish site
Microsoft's Windows 8 "Consumer Preview" is nearing release and the company has started to share some of its promotional plans for the test release. A Bing homepage went live over the weekend that shows the software giant is planning to name its Windows 8 beta a consumer preview release. The site includes a betta fish, used in the Windows 7 beta, and a number of links to sites (that are not live) with information on the Windows 8 Consumer Preview.
Microsoft is expected to release the first...
Microsoft details changes to Explorer in Windows 8 public beta; ribbon is here to stay
Ilana Smith, a lead program manager on Microsoft's Engineering System team, has posted an article on MSDN explaining some of tweaks that have been made in Windows Explorer for the upcoming Windows 8 public beta in February. There are certainly those who have not taken well to the new ribbon interface, and to those opponents Smith says in no uncertain terms that they'll be sticking with the design. For those who don't approve, she reminds them "that there are third-party tools available" that...
Windows Store apps for Windows 8 detailed, restricted to five PCs at a time
Microsoft detailed the fine points of its Windows Store for Windows 8 today. The store, due to enter beta in late February, was previously revealed in December, and allows developers to submit apps starting at $1.49 and charge up to $999, with free and demo apps also available. Applications will be presented in a variety of categories, designed to surface apps to users in a single tap. There doesn't appear to be any restrictions on the amount of installable apps, but Windows Store apps will...
Exclusive: Windows 8 pre-beta hands-on video and pictures
Microsoft is well on its way to providing a public beta copy of Windows 8, and we got an early hands-on with a pre-beta version of the operating system today. Windows 8 build 8175 is on show at CES 2012, and Microsoft is demonstrating some of the latest features to the crowd of attendees. The most recent build includes a new touch gesture to close Metro apps from view, some keyboard and mouse improvements, and the new video/music Metro app players.
Microsoft also confirmed some recently...
Microsoft confirms Windows 8 public beta coming February 2012
We wouldn't be surprised if you missed it in all the Windows Store hubbub, but Microsoft also just confirmed that the public release of Windows 8 Beta will come in February of 2012. We'd previously heard competing rumors of a late January or late February launch, so it looks as though Microsoft is doing a good job of hitting its development goals for the new OS.
The Windows 8 Developer Beta has already seen over three million downloads, but a public beta is something else entirely and we...
