On July 2, 2012 at 4:36pm, Windows 7 claimed a majority share of the OS market. Finally succeeding with replacing what may have been their most successful OS (Win XP), Microsoft is already announcing its next major product.
Windows 8 was previewed by the public last month, and it’s not at all like the Windows operating systems we’ve come to know. Designed around touch screens, Windows 8 brings more changes to the layout and feel than any other Windows release.
Microsoft demonstrated how Windows 8 will work on both tablets and traditional PCs. The new home screen is filled with big, touchable panels, like the live tiles in Windows Phone 7, and from there you can swipe your way to other touch-based applications. But, underneath that touchy layer is plain old Windows, with a task bar, file manager, app icons–everything.
Don’t run out a replace all your software with new Windows 8 compatible versions, the older versions will still work! Any software that ran on Windows 7 will run on 8, in a legacy format that returns all the old functions. Although older software will not be “touch optimized”, Windows 8 will use “fuzzy hit targeting” to aid finger taps.
Ready for an interesting and surprising release from Microsoft? The software giant announced on Monday that anyone running Windows XP or a more recent version can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for just $40. Upgrading from Vista to 7 cost $120! Even upgrading 7 Home to 7 Pro cost $65. Microsoft said the $40 upgrade is a promotion that will run until January 2013, and requires you to download it over the internet. A DVD version will be available for shipment for $70 throughout the promotion.
Still no word on how much a standalone version will be.
Windows 8 is expected to be released sometime during this year’s holiday season. PC makers and tech stores are running promotions in conjunction with Microsoft, offering upgrades on new PC sales between June 2 and January 31 for about $15. These promotions help keep Windows 7 sales afloat while we wait for this new release.