Microsoft (MSFT)
recently allowed select OEM partners to download updated preview builds
of Windows 8. Since then, there have been several leaked images of
supposedly new features that you might see in the next Windows when it
launches (perhaps in early 2012). Microsoft also previewed the new user
interface late last week. Here we have compiled the most interesting
leaks, rumors and previews of Windows 8.
Windows Phone 7's theme and UI
Microsoft late
last week showed off a preview of Windows 8 that features a tiles-based
interface, similar to the UI in Windows Phone 7. Called Immersive, this
GUI is meant to be used in full-screen mode, and is probably targeted at
tablets running Windows 8.
Ribbon User Interface in Explorer
It looks like
Microsoft is taking the Ribbon GUI that they introduced in Office 2007,
and gradually extended to their other software products including
Windows Live Essentials 2011 and Windows 8. So expect a Ribbonized
Explorer.
Cloud Integration
The Windows 8
Explorer interface suggests it will access Microsoft's cloud services,
possibly SkyDrive and Windows Live Mesh. SkyDrive is an online storage
space that you can put your files on, and Mesh lets you sync your other
Windows computers and mobile devices remotely. Both are already
available by installing Windows Live Essentials 2011 onto Windows 7 or
Vista.
Windows Live Integration
Along with being
more wedded to Microsoft's cloud services, the Windows 8 preview
suggests that you'll be able to use your Windows Live (or Hotmail)
account to log into your Windows 8 computer. The profile image of your
Windows Live user profile would then appear to the far right of the
system tray.
If you want to experience how this might work, this unofficial, user-created app mimics this feature for Windows 7.
Built-In PDF Reader
Microsoft may
include the capability for Windows 8 to load and display PDFs, with its
own PDF reader they're calling Modern Reader. So there will be no more
need to download and install Adobe (ADBE) Reader or its speedier
competitor Foxit Reader. The UI and look of Modern Reader is full-on
Metro.
ISO Mounting
It looks like
you'll be able to mount an ISO file to Windows 8 and access its contents
as though it is a data CD or DVD drive. Having this functionality in
prior versions of Windows has been available only as a third-party
program you install separately, such as Virtual CloneDrive or Daemon
Tools.
File Download Verification
First implemented
into Internet Explorer, it looks like Microsoft may be expanding its
SmartScreen filter feature throughout the Windows 8 ecosystem. So when
you try to download a file, SmartScreen will kick in and evaluate
whether the source URL is known to distribute malware.
Aero Auto-Colorization
Here's something
that doesn't address the critical nuts-and-bolts of Windows 8, but could
be fun: Aero can be set to automatically change the colors of your
Windows theme based on the primary colors of a desktop wallpaper image
you use. The result could be harmonious or awful, of course. This is one
of those tinker-around-with toys. There's already a program that does
the same thing for Windows 7 called Aura.
Visit source 8 other features that are rumor only this point.
Source: CIO.com
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