Windows 8 Overview
September 14, 2011
Microsoft Windows 8 to be out in about a year from now. The next version of Windows is already being planned to replace Windows 7 and is said to be compatible with mobile devices. Mobile devices are on the increase with the sales of smartphones and touch tablets on the rise. Microsoft is planning to run Windows 8 on desktops and laptops and also on popular chips that run smartphones and touch tablets. The big difference between these devices is that smartphones and touch tablets run on a less powerful ARM chip sets. And as a result the ARM chips require much less energy consumption. This could present a huge challenge for Microsoft running on a less powerful chip set and having to be extremely power conscientious. Another huge challenges will getting the user interface right. Apple nailed the interface for the iPhone by showing limited information on each screen in a high resolution that shows well. The end result is simplicity and a very intuitive navigation enabling ordinary people to access features and setting easily.
Microsoft Windows 8 Interface
The Start Screen of Windows 8 as shown at the D9 Conference in 2011 looks like interactive tiles will be used to launch programs and or processes. Gone by the wayside will be the desktop icons we are used to. The interactive tiles also represent a very elegant way of introducing a very intuitive navigation and I would assume would work very well on smaller devices like Smartphones.
ARM chip set
Smartphones and touch tablets use what is called ARM chip sets or ARM processors. These are usually 32-bit reduced instruction set chips that was developed back in 1987. I like these chip sets due to their simplicity. They also are suitable for low power applications. That is why so many smartphones and touch tablets use them. Some examples of ARM ship set devices are Apple iPad, Apple iPod, Cannon PowerShot A470, Nintendo DS and TomTom. System requirements for Windows 8 is said to be the same or lower than that of Windows 7. This indicates Windows 8 is efficient and designed well enough to run on ARM chip sets. Starts up times are rumored to be very quick similar to that of using Hibernate mode. Early indications are Windows 8 will be efficient enough to run on ARM chips.
What we know so far is that Windows 8 is on the right track and should become a great operating system able to run on most all devices including smartphones and touch tablets. What’s not known yet is the price. Currently pricing details are not available so stay tuned.
| |
Welcome to Building Microsoft Windows 8
Building the next release of Microsoft Windows is an industry-wide effort that Microsoft approaches with a strong sense of responsibility and humility. Windows 8 reimagines Windows for a new generation of computing devices, and will be the very best operating system for hundreds of millions of PCs, new and old, used by well over a billion people globally.
|
DreamHost Discount Codes