Although we're closing in on the end of Q2 already this year, there's still plenty for us tech enthusiasts to look forward to. Microsoft's release of the Windows 8 operating system is one of them, and according to a number of reports, the Release Preview (formerly referred to as the Release Candidate), has been built, which means the end-user release of Windows 8 is now in sight.
When purchasing a PC from one of the main manufacturers, the "unboxing" experience is swiftly marred by the barrage of unnecessary programs pre-loaded onto the computer. Known as "bloatware", it can be anything from free trials of various internet security suites, to vendor-specific programs - none of which the consumer has asked for.
With Windows 8 set for launch later this year, the debate is still raging on about the relatively radical design changes implemented by Microsoft in the OS. Now, before I go on, I want to note that I'm not the type that's resistant to change. Improvement and progress is welcome, and I really don't mind adjusting to changes of any sort. But, the issue isn't with people like me; it's with users that struggled to understand Windows as it was before these radical changes.
In order to reassure buyers that they aren't purchasing a PC in vain - with Windows 8 on the horizon and all - Microsoft will be conducting a special promotion (as Mary-Jo Foley revealed last week) during which they will provide Windows 8 Pro to buyers of Windows 7-based PCs (on or after June 2) for a low cost. But how low? Today, Paul Thurrott reported that he's hearing word from his sources that this promotional offer will be priced at $14.99.
Although there tends to be a gap of several years between each new iteration of Microsoft's Windows operating system, Apple runs a much more regular release cycle, and despite releasing OS X Lion only last year, its successor Mountain Lion looks geared up for a late summer release.
It's certainly been a busy last few days for Microsoft. After showcasing the impressive cloud service SkyDrive, as well as announcing the Release Preview of the Windows 8 OS, Microsoft's Security Essentials package has been updated to version 4.0, and is now ready for download.
Earlier this week, Microsoft officially unveiled the official SKUs of Windows 8, and, much to the surprise of many Microsoft enthusiasts, they actually simplified things. However, while the simplification is definitely a great step as far as branding is concerned, they did do one peculiar thing: The SKU for Windows on ARM was named Windows RT.
Following much rumor and speculation, Microsoft has just announced the final Windows 8 SKUs, as well as reaffirm that Windows 8 is the official, final name of the upcoming OS. Prior to clicking on the link to the announcement post on the Windows Team Blog, I was slightly nervous; Microsoft is notorious among the tech community for their unnecessarily complicated product branding. Expecting the worst, I was actually quite delighted to see that Microsoft… actually simplified the number of editions in Windows 8!
If you've not yet gotten around to downloading and installing the Windows 8 Consumer Preview, the Windows X guys have compiled an update to its Windows 8 Transformation Pack.
While Windows 8 has received plenty of mixed criticism regarding its user interface and the desktop, there's a more unanimous agreement that it is a pretty damn good tablet OS. But, is Microsoft's unique approach to tablets going to be enough to even get a foot in the door of the tablet market? After all, it isn't even so much a tablet market as an iPad market; Apple created this market, and are doing a great job at maintaining a firm grip on it. But, while nothing will kill the iPad anytime soon, it is possible for a product to gain decent share in an Apple-dominated market. Just look at Android.
