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Windows 8 build leaked from D9 conference; screenshots.

Subject: Editorial, General Tech | June 27, 2011 - 09:12 PM |
Tagged: windows 8, leak

Update: 6/28/2011 - One of our commenters suggested that the screenshots were fake. Upon looking at ZDNet's sources -- it appears as if at least the first screenshot is fake (the tile screen) as well as their onscreen keyboard (which we did not link to). The other screenshots we linked follow a completely different aesthetic to the other screenshots on the fake portfolio (shape and color of close button, for instance) so they in fact appear to be genuine. Fooled me. -Scott

So Windows 8 was shown off at the All Things Digital D9 conference and surprise it was leaked. Naturally Microsoft did not show all aspects of the Windows 8 build at the conference; they must leave some cards hidden that are either not yet ready or otherwise not designed to be shown. Ziff Davis got a hold of someone who either had a leaked build of Windows 8 or otherwise access to screenshots that Microsoft did not intend to show. And what good are screenshots that are not in a slideshow?

Care to take a spin around the leek?

So we start off with the well-known start overlay with the typical tiles including weather, calendar, Computer, email, and Internet Explorer. The next image makes us feel immediately guilty for exactly a half of a second. The new interface extends all the way to the installer where you read the EULA and enter your personalization information. The windowing look and feel has changed with Windows 8 at least temporarily exaggerating the close button and minimizing the, well, minimize and full screen buttons. The ribbon UI is also seen exploding all across the interface including the file browser. Installations, at least of Windows software, are more integrated into the operating system. Lastly, the task manager is getting a facelift which may or may not be a bad thing.

What do you think of the leaked build? What would you do differently if you were Microsoft? (Registration not required to comment.)

Source: Ziff Davis

Windows 8 UI: Wait, Windows 7?

Subject: General Tech | June 12, 2011 - 04:08 AM |
Tagged: windows 8, ImmersiveUI

Microsoft announced and demonstrated their Windows 8 interface a couple of weeks ago and since then there has been some love and some hate for it by various groups. The idea that the new paradigm for icons would display information from the program, particularly in such a fashion, better suits a tablet rather than a traditional desktop interface. Regardless, there would likely be some application for such an interface and you do not need Windows 8 to unofficially have it.

“Start”: must be Windows.

ImmersiveUI developer Sergio James Bruccoleri has released a video to show his pre-beta interface for Windows 7. In his demonstration he showed various websites and programs launched with a little bit of feedback in the tiles such as his Facebook name and Xbox Live gamertag with avatar. Bruccoleri has stated that a public beta is forthcoming with “effects and some cool stuffs.”

Would you find yourself adding this to your Windows desktop? If so, on what device?

Source: WinRumors

Silverlight Developers revolt against Open Standards

Subject: Editorial, General Tech | June 9, 2011 - 12:25 AM |
Tagged: windows 8, silverlight

Microsoft announced their new User Interface to Windows 8 last week. The interface is very tablet-minded and uses a Windows Phone 7-like tile architecture with widgets based on HTML5 and Javascript. Silverlight developers took that as a slap in the face and flooded Microsoft’s developer network forums to voice their opinions. Microsoft has not confirmed or denied that they will continue support for Silverlight in Windows 8; Microsoft has thus also not stated if they do support Silverlight on Windows 8, how much ongoing support will be provided to Silverlight.

That interface doesn’t look very silvery, or light.

I think the real message here is that when you invest (through time, money, or otherwise) in a proprietary infrastructure you need to expect that you have no real recourse should the owner work against you; you voided all recourse except for what is explicitly contractually bound to you. In the case of an open, particularly copyleft, platform: should support from the original owners be absent or insufficient you are legally allowed to take over provided that right is also granted by you. Often it may still be worthwhile to invest in proprietary platforms, but remember, you give up your right to maintain your dependencies. All your dependent art is relying on your trust in the platform owner, and you have no legal recourse, because you gave it away.

Do you have any comments on this? Discuss below.

Source: itnews

Windows 8 isn't ready for a private viewing but will do a floor show

Subject: General Tech, Shows and Expos | June 2, 2011 - 11:59 AM |
Tagged: windows 8, computex

 There is a lot of buzz after the unveiling of Window 8 to a select few at Computex.  VR-Zone has a nice series of pictures as well as about 20 minutes of video footage from the preview event.  AnandTech focused on the ARM version and the new filesystem, while Engadget were content to delve even deeper into the ARM support offered by Win8.  ExtremeTech was more interested in the browser side, examining IE10 and the future Java and HTML5 as well as looking at the touch interface abilities.

Remember to catch all of our Computex content by following the Computex tag!

vrz-Win8.jpg

"VR-Zone was in attendance for this historic Windows 8 unveiling event to selected partners and press at W Hotel Taipei, COMPUTEX 2011. Microsoft showed off its new Windows 8 UI design and a few x86/ARM prototype devices from its partners."

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Computex 2011 Coverage brought to you by MSI Computer and Antec

Source: VR-Zone

Windows 7 is so mainstream, 8 is so much cooler

Subject: General Tech | April 29, 2011 - 11:27 AM |
Tagged: windows 8, win8, OS, arm

Successfully selling an OS seems to have spurred Microsoft into a frenzy of action, far from the massive denial and self abuse they indulged in after the launch of that flounder known as ME Vista. We are already seeing leaded builds of Windows 8, which are festooned with more ARMs and Ribbons than that Royal Wedding last night.  Thanks to these leaks, and a list compiled by Maximum PC, you can see the 7 things we know about 8.

MPC_portable_workspace.png

"Pre-release versions of Windows 8 have leaked to the web. Here’s what they tell us about the upcoming OS

Recently leaked builds show that Windows 8 will be a very different OS from its forebears, from the kernel to the cloud. ARM processor support, mobile-device optimization, and system-wide menu tweaks abound. There are still a lot of things we don't know about the next OS from Microsoft, but the number of things we can say for sure is growing. Read on for our list of 7 things we know about Windows 8!"

Here is some more Tech News from around the web:

Tech Talk

Source: Maximum PC

Windows 8 to offer OS-on-a-thumb-drive portability

Subject: General Tech | April 15, 2011 - 10:14 AM |
Tagged: windows, windows 8

This is pretty cool news that has found its way out with the first leaked released of Microsoft's Windows 8 prototype: integrated into the OS is support for "portable workspaces" that will allow a user to take a 16GB or larger USB thumb drive and build a bootable environment to take with them on the go.

win8portable.jpg

Source: Winrumors

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