The forthcoming update to Windows 8 which will add new features and improve user experience – base on feedbacks Microsoft received form users – comes later this year and as a free upgrade.
Microsoft has decided to end calling the update by its codename ‘Blue’ and officially call it Windows 8.1.
Tami Reller, the CMO and CFO of Microsoft’s Windows Division revealed during JP Morgan’s Technology, Media & Telecom Conference that the upgrade will be free and available from the home screen when it launches.
Preview version will be opened up to the public on June 26th with the beginning of the Build conference.
The Windows 8.1 update will come to both the full version of the OS as well as the ARM-friendly (RT Version) and make Windows 8 even more great for everything from “the smallest tablets” to desktops.
Starting tomorrow, Microsoft is updating Internet Explorer 10 in Windows 8 and Windows RT to enable Flash content to run by default. On Windows 8, all Flash content continues to be enabled for IE on the desktop.
Previously, Microsoft set up an IE10 Compatibility View list of websites that the company felt could run IE10 well on Windows 8 and RT.
Today, Microsoft stated:
Of the thousands of domains tested for Flash compatibility to date, we have found fewer than 4% are still incompatible, in the most part because the core site experience requires other ActiveX controls in addition to Flash. With Windows 8 in the hands of customers and developers, we listened to feedback around the experience of Web sites with Flash.
The vast majority of websites that used Flash would be compatible with IE10 on Windows 8/RT in terms of their touch-based experience along with how the sites affected the performance and battery life of Windows 8 devices.
The desktop version of IE10 on Windows 8 has always been compatible with all Flash-based sites.
The desktop version of IE10 on Windows RT will still have Flash enabled unless it comes across a site that violates Microsoft’s Compatibility View list.
A full PC that’s thin and light enough to take anywhere, in one gorgeous device. An Intel® Core™ i5 Processor provides powerful performance and stunning visuals and you can run your favorite programs plus great new Windows 8 apps.
Windows 8 Pro and 1-month trial of Office 365 for new customers
Work anywhere, anytime with Windows 8 Pro and Office 365. Keep tabs on news, friends, and entertainment with pre-loaded Microsoft apps. Run your existing desktop programs and visit the Windows Store to discover new apps and games.
Intel i5 Processor
Enjoy fast, powerful performance and stunning visuals. The Intel i5 processor was built using the latest technologies, including HD graphics, to deliver with impressive speed and responsiveness. Run Outlook1, Office 3651, and Desktop Apps such as Adobe Photoshop.
Pen
Get creative with drawing and note taking in applications such as OneNote1. Mark up your PowerPoint presentations, PDFs, and documents just like you would on paper. A pen digitizer and pen come with your device, making it easy to add a personal touch.
VaporMg™ casing and Integrated Kickstand
Made with VaporMg, Surface is precision crafted to be tough yet elegant, without excessive bulk. At 2 pounds, with a watch-like finish that’s incredibly smooth and durable, Surface is a delight to hold and touch. The integrated Kickstand provides uncompromised support and flexibility. Flip out the Kickstand for hands-free entertainment. Whether you’re watching a movie, or shooting video, Surface stands on its own.
Type Cover
Type the way you’re used to typing. Type Cover combines the speed and comfort of a classic laptop keyboard with super-thin, lightweight design. Take Surface from tablet to laptop and back again with a quick flip of Type Cover. Type Cover is sold separately.
Touch Cover
Touch Cover clicks in to Surface in an instant, and offers a sleek, spill-resistant exterior for working – no matter where you find yourself. When folded back, Touch Cover automatically disables keystrokes for a full touchscreen experience; when closed, it turns off your display. Touch Cover is sold separately. Colors vary by region. Black, white, cyan, magenta and red.
Ports and Connectivity
Bring your entire media collection with you wherever you go. A microSDXC card slot lets you add up to 64 GB of extra storage. Show off everything on the big screen using the mini DisplayPort3. Full-size USB port and Bluetooth 4.0 provide clutter-free connections with wireless mice and headsets. Dual 2×2 MIMO antennas provide reliable internet connectivity.
Front and rear-facing 720p HD video cameras
Capture life from all sides with LifeCam. The rear camera is angled to shoot straight ahead when the Kickstand is flipped out. The Kickstand also enables hands-free Skype video chat or recording. Custom lens design and an ambient light sensor maximize light intake while providing sharp focus so you’ll never miss a shot.
From work to play, Surface Pro has it all!
Surface Pro is now available and you can get yours at the Microsoft online store: Link
Surface is designed to seamlessly transition between consumption and creation, without compromise. The Surface represents a bold shift in Microsoft strategy.
It delivers the power of amazing software with Windows and the feel of premium hardware in one exciting experience.
The Surface products will be offered in basically two forms: One is expected to be a more price-friendly version running Windows RT on top of ARM chips. The other, likely a bit pricier, will run Windows 8 Pro on top of Intel “Ivy Bridge” processors and coming later (2,3 months from now).
The Surface will go on-sale tonight, at midnight, but online orders are currently backordered so if you want a Surface, you will need to find your local Microsoft retail outlet.
Microsoft will be holding its official Windows 8 launch event at Pier 57 in New York City on Thursday for members of the press.
The location is also the place that Microsoft will launch a rather unique art exhibit that is designed to celebrate New York City in general.
Tomorrow Microsoft will be offering up a live stream of the Windows 8 launch activities so that you can watch Microsoft unveil its next generation OS to the world.
Microsoft is making a dramatic change to how its operating system functions with new features like modern UI, hot corners, and Windows2Go, the updates offer something for every demographic.
The event will kickoff at 11:15AM EST/ 8:15AM PT tomorrow. You can find list of the times around the world for this event here: Link
Also Microsoft are doing a Surface Launch Event at 13:30 EDT. You can find list of the times around the world for Surface launch here: Link
PCs with Windows 8 OS will go on sale on October 26, 2012.
Microsoft today revealed “Microtropolis on YouTube, A City Brought To Life Through Windows 8″.
It is a marketing campaign around Windows 8 in NewYork.
It is a marketing campaign around Windows 8 in NewYork. Windows 8 will be available to consumers from October 26.
Inspired by Manhattan, we have created a stylized one hundred and sixty foot version of NYC in an art installation we are calling Microtropolis. Microtropolis is Manhattan experienced through Windows. It creates the ultimate hands-on demonstration of Windows 8, with the city of NYC as the backdrop. As you walk into the installation, you are literally walking through the avenues and streets with skyscrapers towering above. This interactive experience has hundreds of devices placed on rooftops within the city, customized to the neighborhoods in which they are placed.
Twenty five neighborhoods will light up with the content that reflects the people, places, and culture that make them famous. Windows 8 is personal to the user, but here, it’s personalized by neighborhood. Notable New Yorkers helped us curate Start Screens with the apps and websites they felt best experienced and explore the neighborhoods they call home. To see their curated Start Screens on the various devices is akin to getting an insider’s tour of the city. A number of personalities and institutions famed for their contributions to New York will serve as these curators for Microtropolis, including The Whitney Museum of American Art, Keren Craig of Marchesa, Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, the cast of Annie the Musical on Broadway and many more.
The Windows 8 upgrade offer will run until 31 January 2013, a fully-packaged DVD version of Windows 8 Pro will also be available for $69.99 throughout this time.
The Windows RT model will go on sale at the same time as Windows 8.
Microsoft’s Surface is a family of tablets that have been designed to run Windows 8. The Surface comes in two flavours, dubbed Surface for Windows RT and Surface for Windows 8 Pro.
Both tablets sport a 10.6-inch widescreen display, an innovative ‘VaporMg’ magnesium construction and built-in kickstand. The Windows RT model is powered by an ARM processor (the same kind found in many mobile devices) and measures just 9.3mm thick.
Either model can be equipped with one of two magnetic covers, both of which feature built-in keyboards and trackpads. The 3mm-thick Touch Cover uses multi-touch technology to give an ultra thin profile, while the thicker Type Cover has physical keys and clickable trackpad buttons.
Microsoft today announced that Internet Explorer 10 for Windows 7 release preview will be released in mid-November.
As we approach general availability of Windows 8, we want to provide an update on IE10 for Windows 7. We will release a preview of IE10 on Windows 7 in mid-November, with final availability to follow as we collect developer and customer feedback.
IE10 on Windows 7 has the same standards based platform for developers to target as IE10 on Windows 8. We built an entirely new browser with Windows 8, with more performance and developer capabilities. IE10 brings improved real-world site performance and additional standards support to Windows 7 that Web developers have been asking for. We look forward to getting your feedback on IE10 on Windows 7, and will provide another update when the preview is available.
The final availability will follow as Microsoft collects developer and customer feedback.
