Microsoft is holding a major launch event for Windows 8 in New York City today, ahead of Friday's retail release of the new operating system.
The company faces market worries about the big changes it's asking its millions of consumer and corporate customers to accept with the radically redesigned operating system.
Windows 8 will tie together the company's operating systems for PCs, tablets and smartphones with one icon-centred look. The start menu is out, and a series of touch-screen controlled icons, or "tiles," is in.
The familiar Windows desktop is still available through one of the tiles, and most programs will open in that environment. But since the start button is gone, users will have to flip back and forth between the desktop and the tile screen.
Technology writer Peter Nowak will be tweeting for CBCNews.ca from the Microsoft event today starting here at 10:30 ET.
Plenty of advice
There's also potential for confusion because there's one version of Windows 8, called "Windows RT," which looks like the PC version but doesn't run regular Windows programs. It's intended for tablets and lightweight tablet-laptop hybrids.
Microsoft has had preview versions of Windows 8 widely available since February and has been on the receiving end of plenty of advice as a result.
Colin Gillis, an analyst at BGC Financial, is optimistic about Windows 8, pointing out that it's snappy and runs well on PCs with limited processing power, making it suited for compact, tablet-style machines. But he also notes that through Microsoft's history, roughly every other operating system release has been a letdown.
Intel Corp. makes the processors that go into 80 per cent of PCs, and has a strong interest in the success of Windows.
Huge step
CEO Paul Otellini said Oct. 16 that when the company has let consumers try Windows 8 on expensive "ultrabook" laptops with touch screens, "the feedback is universally positive." But he told analysts that he doesn't really know if people will embrace Windows 8 for mainstream PCs.
This logo was used from 2001 to 2006 for the Windows XP operating system. (Microsoft) The new version is a huge step forward from where Microsoft began with Windows in 1985. Then, it was a "shell" wrapped around the underlying MS-DOS operating system.
That evolved into Windows 3.0 and 3.1 in the early 1990s — taking advantage of more powerful microprocessors — and then into Windows 95 and 98. Several controversial versions followed.
Windows XP was by far Microsoft's most successful consumer product. It was based on the company's resilient business operating system, Windows NT, and eventually overtook NT as a widely used business system.
Subsequent versions included Windows 2000, Vista, and Windows 7.
There will be several versions of Windows 8:
Windows 8
Like its predecessors, Windows 8 will run on computers with processing chips made by Intel Corp. or Advanced Micro Devices Inc. There's a basic version designed for consumers and a Pro version for more tech-savvy users and businesses. The Pro version has such features as encryption and group account management. Large companies with volume-licensing deals with Microsoft will want Windows 8 Enterprise, which has additional tools for information-technology staff to manage machines.
Windows RT
For the first time, there will also be a version running on lower-energy chips common in phones and tablets. That version will run on tablets and some devices that marry tablet and PC features. While tablets with Windows 8 can run standard Windows programs, the RT devices will be restricted to applications specifically designed for the system. Borrowing from Apple's playbook, Microsoft is allowing RT to get applications only from its online store, and apps must meet content and other guidelines.
Windows Phone 8
While Windows 8 and RT will be out Friday, the phone version won't be available until an unspecified date this fall. Microsoft has an event on it Monday and may announce more details then. Nokia Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. already have announced plans for new Windows phones.
You can get Windows RT and Windows Phone 8 only by buying devices with the software already installed, while Windows 8 can be purchased as an upgrade as well.
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