Microsoft on Tuesday showed off a concept tablet running an early version of its next-generation Windows 8 operating system during a Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference presentation. The company briefly showed off the mysterious tablet, which touted a user interface that looks very similar to the tech giant’s mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7. Windows Phone 7 itself will never find its way to a tablet, however, as Windows Phone boss Andy Lees stated during the show that a tablet should be able to do everything a PC can do. Microsoft’s approach with Windows 8 tablets is very different from Apple’s tablet strategy, which offers a limited experience — albeit one that has been very successful to date. Instead, Microsoft will build its Windows 7 successor to accommodate both desktop computers and tablets, thus combining desktop capabilities with a UI that is truly touch-friendly. Another two images of Microsoft’s concept tablet follow below.
