Featuring a modern new interface which is designed for touchscreen input, Windows 8 is set to herald in new form factors of mobile computing devices which will allow us to consume and create content on the go. Microsoft is also hoping that Windows 8 and their Surface tablet will help them to take on Apple’s iPad 3 and Google’s Nexus 7 in the battle for the future of mobile computing.
In this article, we take an in-depth look at the Windows 8 operating system and explore how Microsoft has redesigned Windows for portable tablet devices. We also look at the distinction between the Windows 8 and Windows RT operating systems and explore the range of devices available on Windows 8.
Windows 8’s Modern UI: Optimised for Touchscreens & Tablet PCs
Windows 8 features a radical new design and user interface – it’s a big departure from previous versions of Windows and one that many of us won’t recognise. Upon launching Windows 8, you’ll be dropped into the new Windows 8 “Start Screen” rather than into the traditional Windows desktop.
The new Windows 8 start screen is formed from a bold and bright grid of dynamic tiles. Like the icons on a traditional Windows desktop, each tile provides one-click access to your favourite applications. However, these tiles go beyond being simple shortcuts: they can also update themselves and can show relevant information such as current weather conditions, upcoming appointments and incoming e-mail messages. This means you can get a quick overview of everything happening on your device with a single glance of the start screen.
Windows 8 has a brand new user interface. It’s tile-based and is similar to the design of the Windows Phone operating system which is used on devices such as the Nokia Lumia 920.
The new user interface (previously known as Metro UI) doesn’t just extend to start screen. In fact, Microsoft has redeveloped a large part of Windows to utilise the new user interface. This means that applications such as the photo gallery, e-mail, weather and web browser have all been given the brand new look.
Microsoft envisions that the majority of new Windows 8 applications will run within “Modern UI”: tablet users will appreciate the fact that the new applications are designed for touchscreens whereas other users will appreciate the tidy, clutter-free and aesthetically pleasing look of the new apps. On the flip side, “Modern UI” applications have also been criticised as being too simplistic by PCs and laptop users.
Applications such as e-mail and weather have been given a facelift and will run within “Modern UI”.
Compared to the iPad and tablets running on Android, one benefit of Windows 8 tablets is that they can run two applications at the same time side-by-side. The split-screen multitasking mode in “Modern UI” is fairly unique amongst tablets: the only other tablet on the market with this feature is the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 (which only has it in a limited way: it’s restricted to a few applications).
Windows 8 features a split-screen multitasking mode where you can run two applications side-by-side.
In order to make it easier to find new applications for Windows 8, Microsoft is adding a new app store. This will provide applications that run inside “Modern UI” and will work in a similar way to the app store on Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android operating systems. At present, the Windows 8 Application Store contains less than 10,000 apps (Apple and Google have more than 500,000 apps each). However, this is expected to increase when Windows 8 devices hit the market.
If you’re running Windows 8, you’ll still be able to run all of your old legacy applications in the Desktop Mode (more later). Additionally, you’ll still be able to download applications online and install them from CD-ROMs. This will work in much the same way as on older version of Windows. However, if you’re running Windows RT it’s important to note that you can only download applications from the Windows Store.
Windows 8: What Else is New?
The most obvious change in Windows 8 is that Microsoft is attempting to take on the mobile tablet market. This is highlighted by the fact that Microsoft chose to launch Windows 8 at Mobile World Congress earlier this year. Aside from the new touchscreen-optimised “Modern UI”, Windows 8 also features improved battery life on mobile devices, native support for 3G mobile broadband connections, support for SMS text messaging and a new lock screen with notifications.
Other new features in Windows 8 include:
Integration of anti-virus software and parental controls. The “Family Safety” feature of Windows 8 allows you to restrict how long your kids can spend on the PC and what websites and applications they can access. You’ll also be able to receive regular reports of their PC usage.
- Support for Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.
- Integration with the Microsoft SkyDrive cloud storage service. You can also synchronise your Windows settings across multiple devices through your Microsoft account.
- New method of securing your Windows account using a “picture password”.
- The latest version of the Internet Explorer 10 web browser.
- Improved support for using multiple monitors.
- Support for ARM processors (devices with ARM processors will run the Windows RT operating system).
Desktop Mode: Legacy Applications, Microsoft Office & More
If you’re running Windows RT (for ARM processors), you won’t be able to run older Windows applications within “Desktop Mode”. This is because Windows applications have traditionally been built for Intel processors rather than for ARM processors. However, Windows RT comes bundled with the ARM version of Office 2013 which runs within the desktop mode. This is likely to be a strong selling point for Windows tablets.
Windows 8 & Windows RT: What’s the Difference?
It is important to note that Microsoft is actually releasing two different versions of Windows: Windows 8 and Windows RT. Although both versions of Windows look the same and work in the same way, there are some subtle differences.
The most important distinction is that Windows 8 is designed for Intel processors (x86) and Windows RT is designed for ARM processors. Intel processors are used on the majority of PCs and laptops whereas ARM processors are used on virtually every smartphone and tablet out there. As Windows 8 blurs the boundary between tablet and laptop, Microsoft has decided to create a version of their operating system for both Intel and ARM processors.
Comparing the two versions of Windows, Windows 8 is generally the more capable operating system. Because Windows 8 runs on the same type of processors as older versions of Windows, it’ll run all of the legacy applications that you had from older versions of Windows. It’ll also allow you to download applications from outside the Windows Store.
Windows RT has the one benefit that it comes bundled with the full version of Microsoft Office 2013.
Windows 8: Hardware Availability
Other Windows 8 hardware includes the Dell XPS 12 – a touch-enabled laptop where the screen can be flipped around to transform your laptop into a tablet. Other manufacturers producing devices with Windows 8 include Acer, Asus, HP, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba.
Windows 8: Comparison to iPad & Android Tablets
The Windows 8 operating system is Microsoft’s big attempt to take on the tablet PC market. To date, tablet computing has been dominated by the iPad and Android-based tablets such as the Nexus 7. As the newest entrant to the tablet market, the biggest problem that Windows 8 will have is a lack of applications. However, Windows 8 provides several unique benefits over the iPad and Android tablets:
- Windows 8 is generally a more powerful operating system than both iOS and Android. This is because it was originally designed for PCs rather than smartphones.
- Windows 8 features support for multiple logins and multiple users of a tablet. Tablets are often shared between multiple people: family members for instance. Today’s tablets lack separate logins for each user. This can makes it difficult to synchronise your e-mail and calendar in a secure way and can makes it difficult to use parental controls.
- Windows 8 allows two applications to run side-by-side simultaneously. This is not possible on other tablets, except from the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1.
- Windows 8 can run Microsoft Office. For many people,Microsoft Office is the most commonly used application on their computer. With Windows 8, it is possible to run Microsoft Office on your tablet. Windows RT users will get Office 2013 pre-loaded at no extra charge.
- Windows 8 can run legacy applications (x86 only). You’ll be able to run the full version of applications such as Photoshop, AutoCAD and iTunes on your tablet. This feature isn’t available to Windows RT users.
Your Thoughts…
Microsoft’s latest operating system is due to hit the market on Friday. Featuring a brand new user interface which is optimised for touchscreen displays, Windows 8 is Microsoft’s attempt to take on Apple and Google in the tablet PC market.
Have you tried Windows 8? If so, how did you find Microsoft’s latest operating system? Do you think the new design of Windows 8 will be enough for Microsoft to take on Apple and Google? Did Microsoft do the right thing in designing Windows 8 for tablets or did they alienate their core group of users on PCs and laptops? We’d love to hear your thoughts… please drop us a comment below and let us know what you think!
Ken Lo writes about mobile technology and the mobile industry at Ken's Tech Tips.