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See Windows 8 Interface In Action

News

by Matt Miller on June 04, 2011 at 01:39 PM

15,977 Views

133

Whether you use your PC for gaming or just surfing the web, this is the shape of things to come.

An interesting video blog cropped up this week from Microsoft that should be of interest to anyone in the gaming crowd, given the amount of time most of us spend on a computer for one reason or another. The video shows off the dramatic changes coming to the next version of Windows, which is expected to start showing up on everything from laptops and desktop computers to tablets in late 2012.

Windows 8 is currently only a code name -- Microsoft is likely to announce a final name for the new operating system sometime before release.

The video does a good job of showing just how different the new system will be. Optimized for touch-screens, but still purported to be friendly to mouse and keyboard users, Windows 8 appears to abandon many of the legacy interface ideas that have been around for years.

Check out the brief video, and then share your thoughts in the comments below. What do you think of Windows' upcoming departure from its traditional presentation? Is the change a smart move to compete against the work being done by companies like Apple? Do you see any features in the new OS that you particularly like or dislike?

Email the author Matt Miller, or follow on Game Informer.

Filed under: News, PC, Microsoft, OS, windows 8

Comments

sort by date:

by Gustavo Reyes Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 01:46 PM

ewwwwwww
by Levi Knapper-Grant Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 01:51 PM

This looks scary...I'll just keeps with my Windows XP, thank you very much. :)
by Roccondil Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 01:54 PM

Looks like an expanded version of the current Windows Media Center. Currently, I am comfortable with Windows 7, but if they do a good job with Windows 8, I think I may upgrade.
by styx971 Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 01:54 PM

don't like it i'll be sticking with my windows 7 and would go back to xp b4 using that just not vista lol

on a side note who else thinks they come out with a new windows too often these days
by I Feast on Tacos Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 01:55 PM

It just looks like Windows 7 combined with Windows Phone 7. The interface looks great for the target demographic, simple and easy to navigate to your pictures, social media, etc. but I'm not that demographic. I'd rather not have the interface that simplistic; I can't explain why specifically, I just like more control which doesn't appear evident in this OS.

Also, I hate touch screens. Buttons are cheaper and far more reliable in my case.

EDIT: Also, Rainmeter http://rainmeter.net/RainCMS/
and Omnimo theme http://fediafedia.deviantart.com/art/Omnimo-3-1-for-Rainmeter-158707137
by InfiniteJacuzzi Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 01:56 PM

Time to switch to Linux, this simplification is insulting. There are decent GUI's for it now, anyways.
by Zonified Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 01:57 PM

Not a fan of this interface. It seems like they're focusing too much on touchscreen capabilities. While that's not a bad idea and I understand it still works with mouse and keyboard configurations, it just doesn't seem...right. (I'm not really sure how to describe it.) The lack of a task bar and simple access to other options and settings is almost like a step back. Don't get me wrong, I bet it works great, but making something that everyone has used for years into something that works better on phones isn't good.
by j grizzly14 Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 01:57 PM

not liking
by specter520 Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 01:59 PM

D*** I just got my new pc with windows 7 !!!! wait never mind this looks horrible, I love you microsoft but really this looks horrible, don't make my pc a glorified phone!
by ZoMbIEx23x Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 02:00 PM

I don't like that new OS, it seems really slow and like it would become cumbersome fast. I enjoy windows 7 because it's fast and easy like a cheap prostitute. Not that i'm endorsing prostitution of course.
by cutthroat_tactics Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 02:01 PM

lol @ the short clip of a dog attached to a paraglider.

It looks like Windows 7, merged with stupid touchscreen phone crap. Not worth upgrading when PC games will still be made for Windows 7 for another 5 or more years.
by Gamera Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 02:02 PM

It looks like it has a lot of unnecessary stuff.
by Jonozilla Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 02:03 PM

Tabets IMO have no use in a modern market it's too big to call, It's to virtual to game or type it is a laptop plus a phone as a dog plus a cat would be ,cool but utterly useless (and kinda disturbing)like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3or9lrQ2_ms
by Alphonsus Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 02:04 PM

There's some promise in this. It's nice to integrate the smartphone look to a PC. And they would pay a lot of attention to the new because they want to bring in a new era. Plus the old mouse-keyboard layout would still exist, it's just that there a lot more to know about the new features. It's a lot to get used to, but as long as I can still have my mouse and keyboard, I'm good to go.
by Dustin Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 02:06 PM

I don't think I really like this OS for a PC but for a touch pad it seems like it would be great. I use a windows based PC for gaming and a windows laptop I had to get through my university because I need it for my computer animation major. I use a macbook for everything else though so I'll probaly keep it that way.
by Wren Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 02:07 PM

That is a real smart move, Microsoft. Take something that you've been getting the world used to for years and then completely change it, because the world really want to their desktop and laptop computers to operate just like their phones. This cannot fail!
by jordan Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 02:09 PM

?
by Blake Eaton Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 02:15 PM

This looks really trippy, but I guess I'll see how it works once it comes out. It looks interesting.
by TP4Bunghole Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 02:18 PM

I think I'll be sticking with Windows 7 for awhile lol.
by Soldierx0fxGod Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 02:19 PM

@_@ That look awesome.