A blast of colour: Windows 8 shows a new face

Sep 25, 2011, 3:06 GMT

Anaheim, California - Microsoft has radically reworked its Windows operating system, meaning Windows 8 represents the most extensive changes to the system since the release of Windows 95. Thus, the company is putting forward a new face - one that will work on a tablet computer.

The new system was extensively previewed at a recent developer's conference. The successor to Windows 7 was built from the ground up. The start button and toolbar have disappeared. Instead there's an interface compatible with the Metro design of Microsoft's smartphone operating system, Windows Phone. No release date was revealed during the presentation in Anaheim, California.

Windows 8 distinguishes itself completely from its successor in terms of appearance. Instead of programme icons, there are live tiles for individual applications, which can be linked to a social network or an email programme, for example, showing if there have been new entries or mail.

The search function takes in all programmes and functions. Thus, a selection of pictures can be put together, whether they're stored on the hard drive, on Flickr or in Facebook. Windows 8 is optimized to be controlled with a finger-based multitouch system, but can also be controlled with a mouse or keyboard.

With Windows 8, for the first time a Windows operating system has also been upgraded for tablet computers. While working on PC standard x86 chips, it also runs on ARM processors, which are primarily used in mobile devices like tablets or smartphones.

All programmes that worked with Windows 7 should also work on Windows 8, at least on the x86 chips. It should also be possible to store pictures, videos, documents and other files with Microsoft Online's Sky storage service, making them accessible on other devices.