Microsoft demos tablet-friendly Windows 8 at D9 conference

By on Jun 1, 2011 at 7:09 PM
Breaking June 1, 2011

During the D9 conference in California, Microsoft’s Steven Sinofsky began showing off Redmond’s upcoming Windows 8 operating system, fully optimized for tablets. According to AllThingsD, which got an early peak at the OS, Microsoft’s ultimate goal was to create an OS that could run on a home computer just as well as it could run on a portable 8-inch tablet. The new start screen, pictured above, shows a tile-based interface that’s strikingly similar to Microsoft’s Windows Phone operating system and makes use of the company’s Metro UI. Windows 8 includes Internet Explorer 10, and can run applications that are designed for desktop use, as well as HTML 5 and Java applications that will run better on tablet-sized devices that may provide less power. Sinofsky told AllThingsD that Windows 8 will deliver a new business model for developers, an app distribution mechanism — assumed to be a storefront — and a touch interface. Microsoft reportedly started working on the operating system when it shipped Windows Phone 7. “We really did take a step back after Windows 7,” Sinofsky told AllThingsD. “We were clearly influenced ourselves by phones.” The current demo products run on devices with Intel processors, although Microsoft reportedly also has devices powered by ARM processors, too. There’s still no word on when we’ll see the first Windows 8 devices hit the market, but we’re definitely excited with what we’re seeing so far.

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  • Anonymous

    Nice! I am majorly interested…maybe I’ll buy a computer again. I’m iPad-only for right now.

    • Anonymous

      and what, exactly, is the definition of computer that includes a vaporware Win8 prototype, and doesn’t include an iPad?

    • sirpaul

      The thing with Windows on a tablet is that you can install pretty much everything. If you want, you can even attach a keyboard and mouse and use it like a normal PC. iPads are alright, and I won’t bash you for using it exclusively because if email and web browsing is all you do no need to spend more on a PC/Mac….but if you want something more than the Apple App Store, Windows is definitely the way to go. If you have not yet tried Win7, I encourage you to give it a shot. It is absolutely amazing. You can’t even compare it with Vista. Vista to 7 is what 98 was to XP.

      • Anonymous

        Yes and no. You can install all that software and those peripherals but only if they support ARM processors (unless M$ decides to make x86-based tablets, which is still likely). Peripherals may just be USB ports, yes, but they also need ARM-friendly drivers and/or software configuration utilities to function on a Windows 8 tablet that uses ARM chips which I believe will be in the majority.

      • Anonymous

        You can attach a keyboard to the iPad.

        A mouse would be pointless on a screen that small.

      • MicroNix

        Only problems with Windows on a tablet:

        1)  Windows is a pig.  Integrating a touch UI on a pig is putting lipstick on pig.  Nuff said there. 

        2)  Windows coming out of “standby” is said to be down to 7 seconds!!!!!!!  Holy shit, I can turn on an iPad or Android tablet and instantly be at a *usable* desktop.  HUGE FAIL FOR MICROSOFT.  HUGE.  One of the advantages of a tablet is to not have to wait for a laptop.  Once again, Microsoft doesn’t get it.

        3)  Aren’t we post-PC now?  Microsoft is as PC as you can get.

        Ever since Ballmer took over, this company has been going downhill.  The “Gates Visions” that drove them in the fun years has all but dried up.  This is what happens when its more about business than a geek wanting his visions realized.  If its one thing that can be said about Steve Jobs, he’s passionate about the products they release.  Gates was sort of that way too.  But Ballmer…come on.  Microsoft needs a true geek and bit head at the helm again.  While I was once enthusiastic about the next version of Windows and couldn’t wait for betas (Windows 95 beta build 440 was smokin!!) that all went out the window with Vista.  W7 is really good, but the excitement isn’t there anymore.  It really seemed it was Vista SP2 (yes Vista got good at SP2) with a new UI.  That should have been an UPGRADE for all the poor saps that got stuck with Vista but turned out to be a “new product” with nothing compelling other than the UI.

        Enough ranting!

  • Anonymous

    If I wanted their phone OS i would have bought a phone…..I’ll wait and see…..but title crap? no thanks…

    • Anonymous

      sure thanks for the useless less insights

      • Anonymous

        Sorry, I was scrolling around for your useful comment, could’t find it. Shame on me for leaving my opinion on a tech blog. What was I thinking. 

      • Anonymous

        There’s another UI for desktop 

      • Anonymous

        You’re supposed to love and embrace those god-awful tiles and everything they represent.
        What exactly? Well, Microsoft is still pondering their meaning but, in the meantime, know that you must squarely and dutifully LOVE them.

  • http://www.absolutefiction.com Jed Tylman

    That’s a start!
    (sorry couldn’t resist the pun) :-)

  • http://profiles.google.com/mattcyborgelt matt borgelt

    Im not sure how I feel about this. Maybe I am just sentimental about the classic Windows style. But I am intrigued none the less and want to see how this new layout pans out.

  • http://twitter.com/UrbanEnigma Yves

    There’s no Windows 7 tablets even on the market yet and they’re already demoing ones running Windows 8?

    • Anonymous

      That’s because windows 7 is not optimized for tablets. That’s like faulting apple for creating an IOS tablet even though they don’t have an OSX tablet.

      Think before you speak.

      • http://twitter.com/UrbanEnigma Yves

        Condescending comments aside, your point would have been valid if Microsoft wasn’t so previously adamant about having Windows 7 on tablets instead of developing a more tablet-friendly operating system which they apparently did anyway. Their stance, and the many criticisms of it, is pretty well documented. So to see them showing proof of concept for a next generation operating system when the last generation has yet to even materialize in the open market is surprising.

        Apple has never once publicly announced their intent to or even hinted at an OSX-based tablet so your comparison is irrelevant

    • Anonymous

      There are Windows 7 tablets on the market.

      • Anonymous

        You’re pretty bold using the plural.

  • Anonymous

    “We were clearly influenced ourselves by phones.”

    not that an iPad may have influenced them at all…  sheesh.

    Will it run flash?   Will it have an HDMI output?  USB3.0?  If not all of these… Fail. ;-)

    • Anonymous

      Its windows you fuck face, it will run everything………… I swear people are incredibly dumb these days.

      • Anonymous

        These are just zealots masquerading as objective, unbiased techies. These fools already made up their minds. 

    • sirpaul

      They make the OS, not the tablets. Hardware specs are up to hardware manufacturers like Toshiba.

      • Anonymous

        won’t the OS have to provide the flawless interfaces to the HW that the vendors are building?

        So if MS doesn’t support HDMI, it’s Toshiba’s fault?

        There is a difference between supporting and excelling Sizzling_FTW

        How will a WINDOWS DEVICE WITH NO MOUSE SUPPORT MOUSEOVER in flash?
        - Just asking…

        where’s ‘right mouse click?’

        I’m not a zealot, just a realist.   Windows on a tablet running flash, Excel (unmodified), and assuming you have a mouse.

        The problem _is_ windows.    Windows gets in the way on a tablet…. otherwise we’d be running windows tablets at this moment.  

        Or are you saying that current windows tablets are the vendors’ fault?  If so, then why do we even care about what Microsoft does, because no vendor will get the interface right….

        not a zealot, a realist.    Windows does not make a tablet… it’s been proven.   

      • ArchSteven

        I have a Hp Slate. To right click you press and hold.
        After that your right menu appears. Windows have been making tables I believe
        since XP. Windows 7 is the first version that allows multi-touch. It’s a great
        tablet except for the battery life.

    • Anonymous

      I don’t understand the desire to have a dedicated HDMI port when they don’t even use a standard HDMI connection; what’s this mini/micro-HDMI nonsense? Buying a special cable is no better than having to use an adapter.

  • Anonymous

    So it’s Windows 7 with an official “Microsoft touch UI”.

    I’m finding it really hard to love you, Microsoft.

    • Anonymous

      Kind of like how iOS is OSX with a touch interface? Try knowing what youre talking about next time.

      • Anonymous

        I hope you don’t seriously think all iOS is is OSX with a Touch UI.

      • Anonymous

        And I hope you don’t seriously think this is just Windows 7 with a Touch UI

      • Anonymous

        Actually, it’s based on the same core as OSX. It’s not “just” OSX with a touch interface, but it’s definitely pretty closely related. More sibling than cousin.

    • JJose

      oops..too early to make such assumptions

    • sirpaul

      You must be blind and deaf.

  • Anonymous

    Three words:
    HI, DE, OUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Anonymous

      u mad

    • JJose

      you?

    • http://twitter.com/adamjayreid Adam Reid

      Of course he mad.  This is very little threat to Apple, but Android’s tablet market share is gonna go from negligible to non-existent once this launches.  They had their shot to challenge the iPad, now its Redmonds turn.  And this already looks more polished than Honeycomb and it has one thing already Honeycomb lacks, APPS!!!!!  What was all that talk about fragments UI eliminating the need for tablet v. phone apps, that worked out well, lulz!  Androids strategy with tablets has always been wait until the next release, and that finally bit them in the ass.  Microsoft just came out swinging, and Android will be it’s first victim.

      • Anonymous

        Agreed. Apple are going in a completely different direction with the iPad, but these go on a direct warpath through Android.

        And HP… poor HP.

      • Anonymous

        I’m not sure why you think this will have apps. WP7 has barely any apps compared to Android and iOS. Keep in mind that Windows 8 apps != Windows 7 NON-TOUCH apps. They would all have to be rewritten.

      • Anonymous

        And not only that, they have to be written in HTML and javascript! That’s like none of the Windows apps you know today.

      • Steve Hillshire

        You are funny!  Good to see Microsoft has one sucker *I mean fan* out there for this.

  • Anonymous

    Maybe some of you narrow minded fools should do some research before you spew off at the mouth. Windows 8 will have it’s basic UI like it always had but will also have this UI that you need to turn on. Windows 8 will have two UI’s in one piece of software. One for touch screens and one for clicking.

    • Anonymous

      So we’ll still have the same problems with software that works with one interface paradigm but not the other a la Windows 7 on tablets. Got it.

  • Anonymous

    unbelievable. Windows 7 will be that last version of windows I will ever own.

    • sirpaul

      have fun with your iCrap then…

    • KnotLikely

      I’m sure Windows will miss you when you go. =(
      Sike.

  • http://about.me/brandonmccall brandonmccall

    Nice.

  • Redline78

    I wasn’t sure about the Tiles on Windows Phone 7 but after owning Samsung Focus, I like using Windows Phone 7.  I can put sticky note as one of the tiles so I can get info I needed quicker.  When I was on vacation a couple months ago, I wrote my flight info in Notes and put it as one of the Tile so I have quick access to it without going inside Microsoft Office App and viewing Note file.  It is not as bad as some of you guys might think.  I think this Windows 8 Tablet with Metro UI is going to be nice.  I just hope, they come out with good hardware to go with it. :)

  • Phuzzykiller

    First Ubuntu comes out with their hideous new UI, and now Windows wants to follow suit???? I think that I’ll stick with Win7 until they rethink their new UI for a PC….

  • Anonymous

    That’s fine for a tablet but for a desktop or laptop? Massive fail.

  • Johnny Ray

    not exactly my cup of tea but i applaud microsoft. i’m actually a fan of the metro ui i think it’s clean and it’s refreshing to see something other than an icon based interface. 

    • Anonymous

      Those big rectangles are icons with a bit of text added: IE icon, weather icon, store icon, video icon, calendar icon, etc.

      • Anonymous

        Those big rectangles are icon launchers and dynamic widgets in one. The notification panel in Android is nice, but dynamic widgets are more intuitive. I hope they become the norm sooner than later – your phone should always have ready the information you seek before you even unlock its screen.

  • Anonymous

    Windows Phone OS feels like the most complete, smoothest, intuitive and interactive phone OS on the market. I am glad to see it coming to bigger screens. I will be eagerly waiting now.

  • http://twitter.com/Alan_Vazquez Alan Vazquez

    I’m a total Apple geek and I hate all things Android and (used to) Microsoft, but ever since I bought my 360 and have seen Windows Phone 7′s beautiful tiles, and now even Windows 8 (I’m drooling right now), then I am going to definitely have to dual-boot Mac OS X Lion and Windows 8 on my MacBook Pro! :D

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