Although Microsoft's latest Windows 8 operating system initially had everybody talking and was generating some serious excitement during the beta stages, the current hype surrounding the new OS seems to have calmed off a little as we approach the official release date. Public opinion on the OS seems mixed, but it will be extremely interesting to see what the adoption rates are like when it is eventually made available to the masses.
Microsoft has put a great deal of development blood and sweat into creating the Metro interface of Windows 8, and whilst many have taken something of a shining to the new look of the title, others have been less than impressed with some of the features being removed (or added) over previous releases of Windows.
If you’re using a desktop computer and it is powered by Windows 7, then you and your computer are now, almost three years after its release in late 2009, part of the majority. Yes, according to the latest statistics, Windows 7 is the most popular desktop operating system today. Check out the details after the jump.
With Windows 8, Microsoft aims to introduce new idea of what the desktop, laptop and tablet computer should look like. There are some pretty major changes both under the hood and up front for millions of existing Windows users around the globe.
If you've been sitting back looking at Windows XP or the Windows Vista boot screen on your PC when it is loading and trying to convince yourself that upgrading to Windows 8 would be the most reasonable thing to do, then the fact that Microsoft's new operating system comes bundled with a little bit of the Xbox experience may just do the trick and convince you. Microsoft have some pretty fantastic products and services, with Windows, the Xbox gaming console and their Windows Phone platform, they have a pretty solid product line up.
It's becoming increasingly obvious that the technology world is accelerating at an unprecedented pace, something that is occurring with both hardware and software. That has never been more evident when Mozilla released Firefox 15 to the general public a few days ago, and a beta build of version 16 is already available for testing. Those millions of web users around the world who choose Firefox as their main desktop or mobile browser have barely had a chance to familiarize themselves with version 15 and now Firefox 16 beta is here to be played with.
With the release of Windows 8 and its brand spanking new Metro interface, Microsoft will all-but get rid of the Start Menu off for good. At least, that's the plan.
Been trying to keep abreast of all things IFA from afar? Had to make do with reading all about Samsung's new announcements via someone else's text-based updates, laden with their own opinions? Fear not, for now you can form your own by watching the entire Samsung event from IFA in the comfort of your own home!
Joining scores of other vendors, Sony has just announced its very own ultrabook / tablet effort with the VAIO Duo 11, and it certainly packs in some decent hardware to help kick its way into this increasingly-competitive market. When Microsoft first announced the Surface, it was praised as an innovative median between notebook and tablet, and since, a string of manufacturers have joined the potential gravy train.
You may have thought, with the San Jose court ruling, Samsung has to pay Apple in excess of a billion dollars for infringing on its patents and keeping it cool for copying its ideas - at least for a bit. The video of Samsung's new Sydney retail store made us all chuckle a couple of days ago for its almost inch-by-inch emulation of an Apple retail store, and now, it looks as though the Korean outfit is after snippets of Apple's desktop operating system.
