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With Microsoft set to launch the Windows 8.1 preview on June 26, it is quite natural for the company to have it showcased at the Computex event, which is the last big event before the official launch. The new updates and design changes are the highlight of the sneak peek provided at Computex 2013, with the biggest feature being the return of the start button. In fact, no other single factor symbolizes the Windows experience more than the start button, something that has been conspicuously missing in Windows 8. The start button is less than even half the story, as its functionality is vastly reduced this time, according to the video the company released to showcase the new Windows 8.1. All it does is return the user to the Metro UI and nothing more, a far cry from the start button of yore that led to the interiors of the device by allowing the user to deal with files as well as launching programs. Interestingly, the button is still at the same bottom left corner. Another of the biggest changes brought about to Window 8.1 would be the extensive enhancements introduced to make the operating system equally appealing to sub-10 inch sized tablet devices. "We did some work at the device interface level around edge detection and things like that to make it easier to have smaller bezels on these devices so that OEMs and folks who build devices like this could build exactly the kinds of devices they want, and Windows 8.1 will be great on them," stated Antoine Lebond, Microsoft's Windows corporate vice president of program management. This is of critical importance to Microsoft at it struggles to gain traction in the mobile computing devices segment, and the sub-10 inch segment here is attracting the maximum attention. Also, with tablets projected to emerge as the future of personal computing, it is turning out to be a litmus test for Microsoft's Windows OS, something that could even determine the company's existence in the long run. Towards this, Microsoft is also seen including its Office 2013 suite in all 7 and 8 inch tablets, complete with Excel, Word, OneNote, and Power Point. The new improved Bing based search feature is also a highlight of the new Windows 8.1. The real attraction is not just the way a search term is treated by pulling up data from both the device as well as the web, but also the way the search result is actually displayed. Here different content types are displayed in a different color schemes for easy recognition. Thumbnails of websites will also be displayed if those match the search term, with the option of exploring them further. With Windows 8.1, the lock screen is turned into a digital photo frame with images pulled from the device as well as the SkyDrive account. Image orientations change automatically to allow for optimum viewing. Other features to look forward to in Windows 8.1 include the ability to open two windows simultaneously, introduction of the latest IE 11, or better customization options for the home screen. As for the other contentious issue of reducing licensing fees to push further adoption of the platform, particularly in the small tablet segment, Microsoft’s corporate vice president of OEM division, Nick Parker, evaded a direct response but said Microsoft is offering its Small Screen Touch Program to the tablet makers, enabling them to include the Office software suite on their devices. So far, the Acer Iconia W3 is the only tablet running Windows 8 that offers a 8 inch display. Also interestingly, it was at Computex 2012 that Microsoft had previewed Windows 8 before its eventual release in October. Meanwhile, here is a video that highlights the new features of Windows 8.1. Microsoft Previews Windows 8.1 at Computex 2013 is a post from: E-Reader News |
Friday, June 7, 2013
Microsoft Previews Windows 8.1 at Computex 2013
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