Windows 8 News

Windows 8 to be Release July, 2011 … a Rumor?

George — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:57:49 +0000

I saw a documentary about Roswell, the place in New Mexico, USA that was supposed to be the place where an alien space craft went down. It supposedly was recovered by the US Air Force and had alien bodies among the wreckage. 60 years later, I smile when I hear how some people regardless of evidence or lack there of continue to believe wild stories about that event. The rumors persist…right?

Well, there are rumors about Windows8. Think of it. First of all, can MicroSoft really pull off selling a new operating system to have consumers buy this close to Windows 7, especially with the critical and commercial success of Windows7? If it had bombed, sure the public would be clamoring for a new one. But that is not the case.

Second, what can you expect from Windows8? To want people to buy the OS, it has to be radically different, otherwise, it will be considered a service pack to Windows7. The 128 bit rumor is around, but to make it really work as a 128 bit OS, then there have to be major rewrites of a lot of supporting software and hardware; otherwise, what’s the point? If the applications can not take advantage of the CPU to perform faster, it will be for nought.

Third, hardware technology must already be available to be incorporated into the next OS otherwise the time frame would be longer, maybe 2012, or even 2013. The technology may already have existed when Windows7 was being built, but was put off to wait for other hardware makers to design hardware around.

Fourth, the Windows8 kernel must be redesigned. If it’s just an extension of the Vista/Windows7 kernel, again what’s the point? Microsoft and their R&D team must be looking at what the next generation must be like, but with the emphasis on new technology.

So having said that about rumors, when will Microsoft release Windows8? From a spreadsheet designed by a Microsoft employee, the timeline is around July 1, 2011. That is a mere 17 months away. Here is a copy of the spreadsheet with the timeline not just for Windows8, but for other MicroSoft products.

Estimated Product Support Life Cycles

So here is the latest rumor. The spreadsheet picks the date of July, 2011 as the release date. What makes this spreadsheet is the supposed origin: a Microsoft employee; furthermore, it has been accurate in the past for the software timeline. Take it with a grain of salt; but the rumors may be true.

Source: TechSpot

Roadmap Spreadsheet can be downloaded here.

Intel to Integrate USB 3.0 into Windows8

George — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:22:22 +0000

One of the problems with talking about a future operating system is 1) the little news that comes out of Microsoft about it, but 2) it is hard to speculate two years out about technology that might change considerably between now and then. So we are left with rumor and wish lists and the like. Unless some company actually says something worth noting. In this case, Intel has announced that USB 3.0 will be an embedded product within the Windows 8 Operating System.

What is USB 3.0?

The original specification USB was released by a combination of manufacturers in 1996. These included, Intel, Compaq, Microsoft, Sony, Digital Equipment Corporation, IBM, and Northern Telecom.

On September 18, 2007, at the Intel Developer Forum a demonstration of USB 3.0 was presented. Two months later the USB 3.0 Promoter Group announced that the specifications for version 3.0 were complete and was ready for the USB Implementers Forum, the managing body of USB specifications to decimate the specifications and monitor implementation.

A new feature is the bus, which provides a fourth transfer mode at 4.8 Gbit/s. This gives is a “Superspeed.” With the raw throughput at 4 Gbit/s, and the new specifications, it is possible to achieve a speed of 3.2 Gbit/s, which translates to 0.4 GByte/s or 400 MByte/s or more after protocol overhead.

USB 2.0 maxes out at 480 MBits/s. USB 3.0 is expected to max out at 5 Gbits/s. This dramatic performance improvement over version 2.0, makes it more desirable. However, these new data transfer rates while attainable by the USB hardware, my not be easy to implement.

The USB 3.0 Icon

Current Timeline of Release

Consumer products are expected to become available sometime in 2010. With commercial controllers are expected to enter into volume production by April 2010.

In September 24, 2009 Freecom announced a USB 3.0 external hard drive.
Following that on October 27, 2009 Gigabyte Technology announced new P55 chipsets motherboards for computers that included an onboard USB 3.0.

On January 6th, 2010 ASUS release a USB 3.0-certified motherboard. . They had to comply with spesifications approved by the USB Implementors Forum to ensure compatibility between motherboards and peripherals.

Windows 7 and Linux

Drivers are under development for Windows 7, but initial support was not included with the initial release of the operating system. But on the other hand, the Linux kernel has supported USB 3.0 since version 2.6.31. That version was released in September 2009. This means that for the time being one complete system for end-to-end testing and development for USB3 is now available on the market.

USB 3.0 Super Speed Certified

Intel and AMD

Intel will not support USB 3.0 until next year, 2011. This will undoubtedly have the effect ofl slowing down mainstream adoption. These delays are related to problems in the CMOS manufacturing process.

AMD indicates that the new southbridges released in the beginning of 2010 will not support USB 3.0. Some market research from In-Stat predicts the relevant market share of USB 3.0 not begin to take hold until 2011.

Windows 8

At the CeBIT Global Conference in Hannover, Germany, Intel Manager Steve Peterson, attending said that USB 3.0 would become mainstream with the implementation of the next iteration of the Windows client operating system, Windows8. Intel is working with Microsoft to make sure that the hardware will work with Windows 8. It will fully support USB 3.0 Windows 8 integration. Although products featuring the USB3.0 technology have been release after the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the current expectations for USB 3.0 are that only high-end PCs will feature USB 3.0, as a general rule.

Intel expects Windows8 and the continuing evolution of computers to make USB 3.0 readily available. But, Intel, however, is not optimistic when it relates to the mainstream adoption of the technology. Apparently the technical details and specification to overcome are still problematic.

Source: Intel Intel and USB

Intel to Support Windows8 and USB 3.0

What Windows 8 needs to be… Part 1

Mike Halsey — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:29:04 +0000

Everybody’s got a wish list for what they want Windows to be. As a technical beta-tester for Microsoft and the author of the Windows 7 Power Users Guide, I’ve had a great insight over the last few years into what Windows could have been, having tested features that were later dropped from betas, and I’ve read a great deal of private feedback from other technical testers over the years.

In this series I hope to cover everything I believe Windows 8 will need to be, and what features it should have to truly compete against Google Chrome OS on the netbook and PC, and with iPhone OS and Android on the tablet.

One click install

Microsoft have gone to great lengths over the last few years to make all operations in Windows simpler and quicker to use. Cutting down the amount and volume of mouse clicks necessary to perform tasks.

This approach has been moderately successful so far and connecting to a wi-fi network in Windows 7 is a great example of how the one-click approach can work.

One single-click solution that Windows is lacking though has been highlighted by Apple to great effect with their app store. For one reason or another the Windows installer still takes users through too many steps to install software.

This simple solution, that Apple and Google have used now to great effect has been around on Linux for years, and is widely regarded as one of that OSes finest features.

Obviously with some packages there are options, Microsoft Office for example is a large package and Google Earth will optionally install the Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer. Having an installer package that will enable a quick single-click install is what Windows needs if it’s to compete in the same consumer market as Android and Apple-powered devices in the home.

Only by making installing programs as easy in Windows as it is with other operating systems can Microsoft be seen by their millions of users to be offering an experience that’s as good and easy to use.

Finger Friendly

The tablet is reborn. Apple have now launched their much anticipated iPad and this can only mean that another ageing way to interact with technology will be invigorated and soon, everybody will be jumping on the bandwagon.

The introduction of multi-touch computing with Windows 7 was a good start, but sadly Windows 7 is still not at OS you can use simply in that manner. The ageing interface of drop-down menus and the window control buttons will either have to be redeveloped, redesigned or dropped completely.

Some people would say that this could pose problems for running legacy software on the PC, but the introduction of XP Mode in Windows 7 went some way towards rectifying this. Microsoft need to announce that all new PCs from the end of 2012 need to have hardware support for virtual machines, and this gives the hardware manufacturers plenty of time to make sure their processor and motherboard ranges support it.

iPhone OS and Android, while nowhere near as advanced or as flexible and pioneering completely touchable interfaces. If Microsoft are serious about pushing multi-touch forwards, they need to address the main interface structure of Windows urgently.

Cheap

One of the biggest barriers to owning Windows is the price. Fortunately with Office 2010 Microsoft are trying out a new click-to-install format, where you can start with a free version of the Office suite with limited functionality that you can expand by making micro-payments for the extra features you need.

Should this work, and there’s no reason why it won’t, this model could be ported to Windows and by the time Windows 8 launches in 2012 we could be looking at the first free version of Windows.

I’ll deal with additional features in the next part of this series.

What does the iPad mean for the Windows 8 interface?

Mike Halsey — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 18:07:32 +0000

The reinvention of the tablet PC by Apple this week could have significant ramifications for Microsoft during the development of Windows 8, and impact the look and feel of their next OS considerably.

I think it’s brilliant that we’re now looking at a very near future where I can lounge around on the sofa with the dog, checking my email and browsing the web without have to sit upright in front of a keyboard and track pad in order to get things done. However can you imagine trying to use Windows that way?

While multi-touch support in Windows 7 has made the OS suitable for that type of device, the general operation of Windows (especially with regards to menus and the minimise, maximise and close buttons) would make prodding buttons and other features within Windows problematic at best and infuriating at its worst.

Microsoft are going to have to look at the whole look and feel of Windows for Windows 8 and either a) accept that they can’t do anything about it b) change the OS so it’s all finger-friendly throughout or c) create a switchable interface for tablet devices.

Whatever they do in this regard is guaranteed to change Windows considerably, possibly also creating a learning curve that will annoy a great many people, and bring the way we interact with our programs and operating systems kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

Personally I would prefer Microsoft to find a new way to work with Windows that will work equally well with mouse and gesture controls. I think such a change will be refreshing and can only help to push the convenience of the web into more areas and more people’s homes. Not to mention the potential benefits to accessibility that will be greeted by an ageing population.

With Windows 8 due around the autumn of 2012, Nostradamus’ predictions not withstanding, we can probably expect to see the first signs of this about a year from now. I’m really looking forward to seeing what Microsoft do.

Win $300 Of Crucial Memory For Your PC!

Everton — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:23:47 +0000

In tandem with our sister site Windows 7 News, we’ve been giving away over $9000 worth of software and hardware this month. So far we’ve had some amazing prizes, and on Day 9 of our $9k Christmas Giveaway we are giving away one of our best prizes. Today the lucky winner of our main reverse auction over will win $300 of free computer memory of their choice from Crucial Technology! If you’re looking to give your Windows 7 PC a performance boost then adding good quality fast memory will do the trick. To play all you have to do is visit our Christmas Giveaway auction site and start bidding in our reverse auction- all bids are free!

To read more and how to play click here.

If that wasn’t enough we are also giving away today:

Uniblue PowerSute Worth $100
WinX DVD Ripper Worth $29.99

Over on sister site ghacks we are also giving away hundreds of dollars of software away everyday – click here to visit their Christmas Giveway.

Win $300 Of Free Crucial Memory

Win $300 of high quality PC memory courtesy of Crucial Memory. Winner gets to choose their own memory up to a value of $300. Get bidding now! The lowest bid wins!

Crucial is a key brand in the Lexar Media family of products. As Memory Experts Crucial are the only DRAM supplier that’s part of a major memory manufacturer.

Crucial are one of the leading suppliers of high-quality memory that has been qualified and approved by most major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). On their website you can find innovative tools that will make it easy to choose compatible memory and recommended upgrades.

Visit Crucial Memory now for your next memory upgrade.

We’re Giving Away $9K This December!!

Everton — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 18:38:26 +0000

In tandem with our sister site Windows 7 News & Tips we are giving away over $9000 this December. Yes, everyday between Dec 1st and Dec 24th we are giving away prizes worth over $300!!

Entry is free and you can enter as many times as you want. All you have to do is visit our Christmas Giveaway and start bidding for free on the prizes you want to win. It’s a reverse auction so the lowest unique bid wins.

Auctions will run from 24 hours each day starting at 8PM PST – keep checking the site for details of the new prizes added daily that you can win!

Start bidding now!!

Also visit ghacks where Martin is also giving away thousands of dollars in prizes!!

Windows 8 – 128bit Rumours Were Fake?

Everton — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:46:34 +0000

Last month a number of sites, including this one, picked up on rumours that Windows 8 would support 128-bit processors. The main ’source’ of the rumours was a Robert Morgan who was a “senior member of Microsoft’s R&D team” who leaked information about Windows 8’s 128 bit capabilities on his LinkedIn profile.

However, it looks now like the information was fake and that Robert Morgan never actually existed:

The LinkedIn page has since been removed (cached version)
When questioned about Robert Morgan, Microsoft have replied that “Microsoft has no comment regarding Robert Morgan”

i.e. Microsoft have made no attempt to quash or confirm any leaks that have been made, maintaining the official radio silence around Windows 8. As George has stated on our sister site, the official position from Microsoft is that Windows 8 is under development and that’s all they are prepared to say for now.

That’s not to say that Windows 8 won’t support 128bit processors, but it looks like this particular leak was probably started by sites looking to benefit from the traffic. It was a nice story, but unfortunately it looks like we are still waiting for the first set of concrete information concerning Windows 8.

Windows 8 ‘Confirmed’ for 2012 Launch

Everton — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:00:52 +0000

More and more evidence is emerging that Windows 8 will be released in 2012. At this years Professional Developer’s Conference (PDC 2009), budding attendees managed to get their hands on two Windows roadmap slides that show ‘Windows 8′ launching in 2012:

Now these slides don’t really provide any information that we didn’t know; Microsoft typically leave 3 years between each release and with Windows 7 launching this year, Windows 8 was always likely to be in 2012. It is unlikely that Microsoft would pull Windows 8’s launch forward to 2011 because it would impact Windows 7 sales with customers delaying upgrades, and unlikely they would delay until 2013 as Windows 8’s development seems to be progressing quite nicely.

Source: Microsoft Kitchen

Looking Forward To Windows 8, What Microsoft Missed In Windows 7, Part 5

Everton — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:58:07 +0000

Resident editor Mike Halsey has just published on Windows 7 News, the latest post in his series ‘Looking Forward To Windows 8, What Microsoft Missed In Windows‘. In part 5, he covers improvements he would like to see to Windows 7’s libraries and search in Windows 8:

I’ve spoken before about Libraries being an excellent example of this. You can add folders to libraries, even on Homegroup connected PCs, but why can’t you filter those folder by content type, or have a library of all your Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) files? This is a very annoying omission and one that makes the otherwise excellent Libraries feature much less useful than Microsoft would like it to be.

To read the full post, click here. Below you can find links to the earlier instalments in the series:

Ten Items On My Windows 8 Wishlist

Everton — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:09:36 +0000

The dust hasn’t yet settled on the launch of Windows 7 and I’m fairly certain that in the new year, Microsoft will not only release Windows 7 SP1 but also (finally) some details of Windows 8. Windows 7 is a brilliant OS, but there is still room for improvement. What features would you add to your Windows 8 Wishlist? My wishlist would include the following items:

Better dual monitor support: I want wallpapers that stretch across multiple wallpapers
Fewer versions: I think Microsoft are confusing too many users with the various versions. Windows 7 was a step in the right direction with fewer versions; hopefully Windows 8 will no more than 3 versions
Customisable boot screens: (although hopefully windows 8 will boot so fast you won’t see it!)
Better multimedia network support: I run a number of media centers and it’s near on impossible to share playcounts, playlists etc across machines. I want features like knowing what films on my server haven’t been watched
Ditch the taskbar: Integrate an improved flip or something better i.e just make a virtual taskbar appear anywhere on the screen on demand
An updated Windows Explorer: come on Microsoft, it’s getting a bit long in the tooth now and needs to be retired
A complete rewrite of the Windows code: with backwards compatability via an emulator
User account synchronisation: Why should I have to setup my bookmarks, folders, settings, preferences, files etc on each and every machine? I want to login to any machine in my Homegroup and pickup where I left off
Better Updating & Maintenance: I would love it if Windows 8 ‘healed’ and ‘fixed’ itself in the background
Storage Array: My Windows Home Server just tells me how much storage I have available, rather than looking at each disk individually. I hope Windows 8 treats storage this way, allowing users to allocate storage to users or to create ‘virtual drives’

Windows 8’s Known Knowns

Everton — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:12:01 +0000

Long after Donald Rumsfeld has died, he will be known (sic) for one of the worst quotes ever:

There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t know we don’t know.

Now although information about Windows 8 will eventually become available, rather than the lack of information to this day about WMDs, Windows 8 details still remain sketchy. Here are Windows 8’s Known Knowns:

It will be called Windows 8 and there’s even a Windows 9 in the pipeline
It will be released no earlier than 2012 – it is unlikely it will be released in 2011
It will have new networking features
It will include 128 bit support and will see the end of 32 bit Operating Systems
It won’t be Microsoft’s last client based OS - Steve Ballmer says that won’t happen for 10-20 years.

Hopefully soon we will unravel Windows 8’s known unknowns and unknown unknowns!

Download 1250 Windows 8 Wallpapers

Everton — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:42:40 +0000

To celebrate the launch of Windows 7 and (hopefully) the start of some news from Microsoft on Windows 8, Windows 7 Themes have pulled together a mega pack of 1250 Windows 8 Wallpapers:

The wallpaper package includes a lot of different wallpapers: dual-screen, panorama (ultra-wide wallpaper), firefox, mac, windows vista and 7, cars, nature, underwater scenes, gaming, 3D, CG, sexy babes, etc.

1250 Windows 8 Wallpapers takes up quite a lot of filespace, so the authors have pulled together a torrent to make it easier to download the wallpapers.

More: Wallpaper Download Link

Join Windows 8 Forum Today For More News

Everton — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:45:59 +0000

Have you visited the Windows 8 Forum? If not, then maybe you should today. There are nearly 4,000 active users in the forum that we share with our sister site Windows 7 News, and a number of Windows 8 posts and rumours are starting to appear.

Windows 8 will mark 30 years since the home computer revolution

Mike Halsey — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Who could have imagined over even the last ten years that the PC, a business device, would be welcomed with such open arms into the home. That huge sections of our living rooms and spare bedrooms would be devoted to huge beige, then black, boxes.

Windows 8 is due in beta 2011 for release in 2012. This will mark 30 years of the home computer revolution of the ZX81, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and BBC Micro. Three whole decades since Sir Clive Sinclair launched the ZX81 to such huge acclaim. His previous home computer, the ZX80, had failed to make inroads in the home, but the £99 ZX81 was remarkable for its time. It was the first home computer to be widely available on the high street, and the first computer that households could actually afford, with an Apple II or IBM PC costing around £2,500.

I remember fondly getting my first ZX81 and I consider myself very privileged to have been born when I was, and to have been growing up through the most exciting part of the home computer revolution.

I had initially wanted a colouring book but my parents had seen the ‘educational value’ of the Sinclair machine and were determined I was getting one. I remember vividly the trip to WH Smith that resulted in a very bemused few days for me while I tried to come to terms with what this thing was. Once I had it though I was hooked!

Back then you joined a camp and developed a loyalty that seemed to take on a life of its own. If you were serious about computing you were in one of three. Either Sinclair, Commodore or Acorn (BBC). The Sinclair fans were the the fun people who enjoyed life on a shoestring and, at least publicly, considered the machine’s foibles endearing, even if we were all privately fuming that it took 45 minutes to load a game of Horace Goes Skiing.

The Commodore people had more money and, thus, a proper keyboard. They clearly had the better machine but the Sinclair crowd would never let them win that argument. The BBC crowd were the ones you knew would end up doing advanced degrees at University. That was the way it was back then.

I was firmly in the Sinclair camp. After my ZX81 I owned a Speccy, a Speccy+2 and a Sinclair QL. I am one of a great many people who consider the ZX Spectrum to be one of the finest computers ever created. It brought about the home computer revolution pretty much on its own and, consequently, was copied right around the globe.

It wasn’t until Amstrad came in with more of a business focus did things begin to change. The Spectrum and Commodore 64 had given birth to the first generation of dedicated games consoles and that left the market open for something more serious. Back then everybody was still talking about the paperless office, a concept we’d never really trust these days, and Amstrad brought to market products to help small businesses and individuals become more productive at home and at work. They lit the way and showed the likes of Dell and Compaq how to produce mass-market PCs for under £500. It was at this time that Compaq created a compatible clone BIOS for the IBM PC. From that moment on the home computer revolution was over!

It had lasted only five short years but they were a truly exciting time.

So just how the hell does my personal nostalgia trip fit in with Windows 8 I hear you ask? It’s actually Windows XP that started the ball rolling with this but Windows Vista and Windows 7 have both grasped the bull by both horns and Windows 8 will, I think, complete the picture.

This is the excitement we feel about how it works and operates and how we interact with the next version of Windows. After the first PC clones began to appear we became bogged down with performance. The important thing was the next development in technology and not the operating system itself. Windows 95 got tongues wagging, but all too quickly the excitement died down to be replaced again by talk of the next big hardware revolution. Finally we have OS interfaces that excite and engage people on a daily basis and that can actually maintain that level of enthusiasm. The fact that modern hardware has for a few years now provided all that we need has obviously helped this conversation to flourish.

This revolution really started, nay exploded, in 1982 with the ZX Spectrum, BBC Micro and Commodore 64 changing the face of childhood forever. The clones came flooding in, everyone with their own ideas. Innovation and excitement were the order of the day and you couldn’t go anywhere or speak to anyone without the home computing revolution coming into the conversation.

It makes me remember spending Saturday mornings in my local high street electronics shops. There were always large crowds of kids gathered around the computers. We’d compare the different interfaces and the way the machines operated. Each one brought something exciting to the mix but it was never the hardware that excited us. Okay so the keyboard had a thing or two to contribute. You either loved or hated the squidgy keys of the Speccy and most people hated the blister’inducing keyboard of the Oric 1, even though the machine itself really impressed. Generally though it was how we interacted with the machines that made them successful or reduced their developers to tears when the receivers were called in.

Back then this was essential because, in order to own one of these machines, you had to program it yourself. The user interface as everything. This is where the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and BBC Micro excelled. All three had interfaces that people could actually use.

You have to have been born during a few short years in the late 1960s and early 1970s to appreciate the magic of that time. It was truly, the most exciting period of my childhood, and something that no child born before or since will ever be able to share.

This is something we take for granted now on modern PCs. But it’s still not always that way. Windows 7 may offer great leaps forward in how we interact with our PCs, but any trained eye will be able to point out all the places it fails.

I can only hope, and look forward, to the way we interact with Windows 8, whatever it is, causing enough excitement to commemorate this 30th anniversary appropriately.

Windows 8 to support 32, 64 or 128-bit?

Mike Halsey — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:45:17 +0000

Recently there have been rumours that the next version of Windows will move the whole platform completely over to 128-bit architecture, dumping 32 and 64-bit compatibility completely.

This first came about because of a news story broken by Microsoft Kitchen a few days ago in which Robert Morgan, a senior research and development officer at Microsoft posted the following on his LinkedIn profile.

Experience
Senior Research & Development
Microsoft
Public Company; MSFT; Computer Software industry
January 2002 – Present (7 years 10 months)
Working in high security department for research and development involving strategic planning for medium and long-term projects. Research & Development projects including 128bit architecture compatibility with the Windows 8 kernel and Windows 9 project plan. Forming relationships with major partners: Intel, AMD, HP and IBM.

Since then the sweaty masses have, frankly let their imaginations run away with themselves so I thought we needed to look at the situation more objectively, fact by fact.

It’s true that AMD and Intel are working on 128-bit chips, this is something that’s been out there for a while now. But Windows 8 can’t possibly be 128-bit only. The reasons for this are as follows.

Windows 7 is still, sadly, saddled with 32-bit compatibility. This is despite the fact that almost every modern processor supports true 64-bit computing. This is purely to maintain compatibility with older software (primarily in Microsoft’s most important market, business). XP Mode, the virtualisation plug-in that allows you to run older software in a licensed copy of XP, goes some way towards addressing this and many people are hoping that 32-bit support will be dropped from Windows 8 completely. Sadly though, it can’t happen.

This is because in order for XP Mode to work you need hardware virtualisation support on the motherboard and nowhere near enough motherboards yet support this. By the time Windows 8 comes out it’s possible that all motherboards will, but Microsoft have to get started on Windows 8 code now, and they can’t guarantee this will happen.

It is for exactly the same reasons why Windows 8 can never be 128-bit only. By the time the technology is mature enough Windows 8 will be ready to launch but the cost of the chips will still be extremely expensive. They will, I predict, only be used in server farms for hard-core virtualisation tasks on servers.

It’s much more likely that Windows 8 Server will offer full support for 128-bit architecture and that the feature will then be ported to the business and consumer editions of Windows for Windows 9.

The move to 128-bit in itself isn’t such a big job, but it becomes a nightmare when you consider that you also have to maintain compatibility with 32-bit applications. I can’t foresee a situation where we can have an operating system that supports 32, 64 and 128-bit code simultaneously while still remaining stable. The only reason that Windows 8 Server could support it is because the 32-bit legacy support has already been dropped from Windows 7 Server.

For all the people who want to see 128-bit support in Windows 8, forget it. Frankly you wouldn’t get any benefit from it at all anyway. No software will be written to support it for years to come, full 64-bit support in software is only beginning to appear now, and it will offer the average user or gamer no additional benefits over the 64-bit architecture you already have.

Unless and until the whole computing experience we use in our daily lives demands a move to such technology, it will remain in the server farms of the future.

Windows 8 To Be 128 Bit?

Everton — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:02:35 +0000

Windows 7 when it launched on October 22nd will include versions for both 32 bit and 64 bit users. It’s successor Windows 8 expected in 2011 was expected to only come in a 64 bit version, because Windows Server 2008 R2 was released in 64 bit form only and the next Windows OS was expected to follow suit.

However it is now believed that Windows 8 might ship in 64bit AND 128 bit versions, based on the linkedin profile of Microsoft employee Robert Morgan:

Working in high security department for research and development involving strategic planning for medium and longterm projects. Research & Development projects including 128bit architecture compatibility with the Windows 8 kernel and Windows 9 project plan. Forming relationships with major partners: Intel, AMD, HP, and IBM.
Robert Morgan is working to get IA-128 working backwards with full binary compatibility on the existing IA-64 instructions in the hardware simulation to work for Windows 8 and definitely Windows 9.

Whether or not Windows 8 will support 128bit remains to be seen, but at this stage Microsoft are at least considering it. I’m not sure how likely this will be though; 64 bit adoption is still low and although this will increase by 2011 I just fear that adding 128bit to Windows 8 will create a poor customer experience like Vista 64 bit, where driver availability was poor.

Eight Forums have manged to track down Robert via linkedin and they claim that he’s agreed to give them an interview and he’s letting their readers ask questions. Questions have to be submitted by October 11th. If he really has agreed to do the interview, I’d be amazed if he still had a job at Microsoft on October 12th as news on Windows 8 is clearly embargoed at the moment.

(Unofficial) Windows 8 Wallpapers

Everton — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:40:49 +0000

There’s been no sign of any official news or Windows 8 media, but that hasn’t stopped talented designers pulling together their own. Rajesh Patel has created six Windows 8 Wallpapers that are available for download:

More: Tweaking Windows

How Long Until We Get Our First Windows 8 Leak?

Everton — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:11:36 +0000

There have been a number of fake Windows 8 leaks over the last couple of weeks, most of them probably packed with viruses and spyware which I’d advise readers to steer well clear off. As soon as a verified leak appears, you will hear about it first on this site.

My money is on a Windows 8 leak appearing in November after Windows 7 has been launched.

Windows 8 To Launch In 2012?

Everton — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:34:25 +0000

Windows 7 isn’t out the door yet, but Microsoft seem to be making good progress with Windows 8. A roadmap slide from Microsoft’s Italian subsidiary has Windows 8 penciled in for a 2012 release:

Note though that Windows 8 is down as approximately 2012. Even still, it looks like Microsoft are sticking to their 2.5-3 year release cycle, with Windows Vista launching Jan 2007 (it was late), Windows 7 in October 2009 and Windows 8 in 2012.

Windows 8 is also denoted as ‘codemane Windows 8′ – does this mean that ‘Windows 8‘ will not be called Windows 8?

I’m expecting big things from Windows 8. Although Windows 7 is a great release and adds several much needed improvements to Windows Vista, it’s still too familiar for me and doesn’t feel ‘new’ enough and I’m looking forward to getting a new OS to get my teeth into!

Why Windows 8?

Everton — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:51:16 +0000

Windows 8’s name was chosen because it will be the 8th version of Windows. Double-checking this isn’t as easy as you may think and trips up many people. Here are the Windows versions that preceded Windows 8:

Windows 1.0
Windows 2.0
Windows 3.0
Windows 95 (Windows 4.0)
Windows 2000 (Windows 5.0)
Windows Vista (Windows 6.0)
Windows 7 – Launching October 22nd 2009
Windows 8!

Now, some of you who are paying attention will notice that Windows NT, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE and Windows Millennium. This is because:

Windows NT was actually treated asw Windows 3.1
Windows 98, 98SE and Windows Millennium shipped as 4.0.1998, 4.10.2222, and 4.90.3000

Now, to make matters even more confusing Microsoft have versioned Windows 7 as Windows 6.1. However, they are still treating it as ‘Windows 7′ because of the significance of the release.

There you go – hope that makes sense now!

Windows 8 Transformation Pack

Everton — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 19:48:33 +0000

We have our first set of Windows 8 Wallpapers! The Windows 8 Transformation Pack is from the same team who pulled together some of the early Windows 7 Wallpapers.

Within the pack are are Windows 8 Wallpapers and Windows 8 Login Screen backgrounds.

More: Windows 8 Transformation Pack

$200 Logo Competition Ends In 2 Days

Everton — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:47:39 +0000

You only have 2 days left to enter the $200 competition to design a new logo for Windows 7 News and Windows 8 News. There’s 2 days left to go and we need to pick a winner from the 190 entries so far.

Because there have been so many entries we need your help selecting a winner. Some of the entries are pretty awful, but some have potential. I’ve added some of my favourites below, but all of the entries can be seen at logomyway. If you’re a budding designer there’s still time to enter.

Windows 8 Will Have New Networking Features

Everton — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:19:47 +0000

Eagle eyed Stephen over at techwoo spotted the following in the LinkedIn profile of a Microsoft PM, which seems to indicate that Windows 8 will have some new networking features:

Evaluating and collating technical and business requirements for developing new networking features in Windows 8.
Designing features, functional specification and prototype for Windows 8.

I can only hope that Microsoft improve Windows 7’s HomeGroup capabilities, which mean well, but don’t quit deliver for me.

Unofficial Windows 8 Concept Video

Everton — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:00:33 +0000

The following video was not created by Microsoft, but by a UI team in Copenhagen. It nevertheless still shows some amazing new user experience features that would really make Windows 8 an amazing advance in the Windows series.

Check it out below!

Copenhagen User Experience from Copenhagen Concept.

Design A New Logo For Windows 8 News And Win $200

Everton — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:46:32 +0000

To celebrate the launch of Windows 8 News we’ve decided to run another competition! We need two logos, one for Windows 7 News and one for Windows 8 News, that will look amazing in the header and also as a thumbnail image. The competition offers any budding designers not only an opportunity to win $200, but to also display their talents to a large base of users, as all entries will be displayed on the site because readers will choose the best logo and the winner.

Rules:

No limit to the number of entries
Entries to be submitted via logomyway
Thumbnail logo must be 120×120
Main logo must be no bigger than 250 x105
Must work on white background
Decision of the editors will be final

If you’re not a designer, then don’t forget you’ve still got a week to enter our competition to win a funky $200 beanbag.

Windows 7 One Step Closer To Launch

Everton — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:35:44 +0000

Microsoft will start taking pre-orders tomorrow for Windows 7. Users who place Pre-orders for Windows 7 before the end of the special offer could save up to $100 off the full list price.

If you live in the US, Canada or Japan you can now pre-order Windows 7 for a limited time, so hurry and place your order now to save up to $100:

Windows 7 Home Premium: Usually $120 now $50 for a limited time
Windows 7 Professional: Usually $200 now $100 for a limited time

As Windows 7 ’s launch on October 22nd draws nearer, all eyes will start turning to the next development release, Windows 8. Don’t worry, we’ll keep you up to date with all the latest Windows 8 news and rumours right here on this site.

Windows 8 Feature Wishlist

Everton — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:11:53 +0000

Although Microsoft don’t intend to make a big splash when launching Windows 7, it will probably be Microsoft’s finest release yet if the feedback from testers and readers on our sister site Windows 7 News is anything to go by.

There’s still plenty of room for improvement in Windows 8. Mike from the Windows 7 News editorial team has published a series of posts detailing what he’d like to see in Windows 8:

Features Mike would like to see improved in Windows 8 include a better explorer, improved libraries and game support. Personally I would like to see more options for organising multiple windows. Aero Peek helps, but I don’t want to go over to the sidebar everytime I want to locate one of the many windows I have open. There has to be a better solution that ALT+TAB and Aero Peek.

What features would you like to see in Windows 8?

Microsoft Hiring For Windows 8

Everton — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:39:19 +0000

Windows 7 is almost complete and due to be launched on October 22nd, and Microsoft are already turning their attention to creating Windows 8. To some this may seem premature, but putting together a new OS takes a considerable amount of work and much longer than the 3 years gap between Windows releases.

A recent job posting on the Microsoft job site gives some hints as to what we can expect in Windows 8:

For the upcoming version of Windows, new critical features are being worked on including cluster support and support for one way replication. The core engine is also being reworked to provide dramatic performance improvements. We will also soon be starting major improvements for Windows 8 where we will be including innovative features which will revolutionize file access in branch offices
We are looking for a strong lead who has the right blend of technical passion, leadership skills and testing experience. From a technical standpoint, we are looking for a candidate having an understanding of and a passion for large scale distributed systems. From a leadership point of view, you will need to be able to build the vision for the team, work with your development and PM counterparts on engineering excellence and effectively drive the quality of the component. In terms of testing experience, the ability to define and deliver test solutions affecting all release criteria (functionality, scalability, performance, stress, longhaul, security, etc.) is a must.

As more details of Windows 8 features become available, you’ll find them first on this site.

Welcome To Windows 8 News!

Everton — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:55:18 +0000

Dedicated to bringing you all the news & rumours about Microsoft’s new operating system Windows 8, which will replace Windows 7 in 2012/13. New to the site? Check out the Windows 8 FAQ. We also recommend:

The Archives to search all posts, checking out the latest Windows 8 Screenshots, Windows 8 Wallpapers & Windows 8 Videos
Visiting our sister site, for the latest Windows 7 News

Need help with Windows 7? Then join the Windows 7 & 8 Forum (over 3,500 members) for expert advice.