We’ve waited and it’s only a few days away for the next version of Microsoft’s popular operating system

Windows 8 Metro interface

Microsoft announced that the next step in releasing Windows 8 will occur with a Consumer Preview release of Windows 8.

Actually it didn’t announced the preview but did invite people to a special event in Barcelona, Spain after which consumers will be able to download the free consumer preview of Windows 8. 

Not a beta, this is a full trial download that should be hardened enough to use, with some caution. It would be prudent to install it on say a second computer that doesn’t act as your workstation.

Download the Consumer Preview of Windows 8

As a word of caution, there are already scam websites that include Windows 8 in their domain name. Do not download the Consumer Preview from any site but Microsoft.com. I tried a few of these sites already and they attempted to download a file that contained a virus. It’s the same with any popular topic on the internet such as the scams with Michael Jackson that proliferated after his death.

The event is the Mobile Word Congress Show. MWC is a symbolic event to launch the next level of Windows 8 since the new operating system will unite Windows across all platforms – mobile, tablet, desktop and laptop.

Windows smartphones will no longer use Windows CE but run a version of the Windows 8 kernel. Windows tablets will get an operating system to use period.  Windows CE won’t retire thought. It is used on TV set-top boxes like PVRs and other devices.

What’s new in Windows 8

Tami Reller does a great job of demonstrating the new Windows 8 features across multiple platforms (see end note).

The first thing that people will notice is the new Metro interface which is pictured above. You will be able to revert the the Windows 7 icon based home screen but Microsoft is betting people will appreciate the new “live” interface.

Unlike icons which are essentially inert pictures that represent an application, the Metro tiles are live. For instance, your latest Facebook update will show in the Facebook tile. Updated stock prices will display in real time. You will see that you have email and perhaps the latest message in summary.

Windows Phone 7.5 with live tiles, background and open app

Live tiles will make work on computers more productive. While nay-sayers and Apple-aholics decry Metro, it will be better than static screens since you won’t have to keep apps open in the tool bar to know if there is something new.

Metro will be cross platform using the same interface for smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktops. That alone will make life easier for people.

The new Windows 8 kernel will be smaller and Windows 8 is expected to load very quickly compared to Windows 7 or Vista.

End note
During the 1990s I worked for Great Plains Software, before their acquisition by Microsoft. Nice surprise to see Tami Reller, an old colleague from GPS, demonstrating Windows 8.