Windows 8 First Preview

Microsoft has for the very first time previewed it’s upcoming version of Windows at All Things Digital conference. Steven Sinofsky , President of Windows and Windows Live division gave a peek of some of the features.

Microsoft plans to introduce new kind of user interface to Windows. It would include tile based start screen with tiles capable of showing updated information pulled from the apps they are connected to. It means you don’t need to go inside each application to check for information. It is automatically available on the home screen. This design is essentially inspired from Windows Phone 7.

Windows 8 will include web connected apps which would be developed using HTML 5 and Java Script. They will have full access to the power of PC. The new user interface would be optimized for touch but will run equally well with traditional keyboard and mouse also.

Windows 8 would be capable of running on multiple form factors including small slates, laptops, desktops and even bigger class room sized displays providing one experience across different variety of PC’s. With tablets like iPad becoming popular, it is important for Microsoft that it’s Windows runs well on them and provides a great user experience.

This was just the tip of iceberg. Microsoft would be revealing more details at it’s developer event, BUILD (Sept. 13 - 16 in Anaheim, Calif.).

Imagining what is the new user interface like ? Check out the video

Next generation Windows launch in 2012

Have you been hearing rumours about when will next version of Windows, world's most widely used OS launch ? Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft announced on May 23 at a developer's meet in Tokyo

that next generation of Windows, popularly dubbed as Windows 8 would launch next year.

Microsoft has seen huge success with Windows 7. According to Windows blog , Windows 7 has sold more than 350 million licenses

With Windows 8, Microsoft is looking at continuing that trend. It is expected to be cloud friendly , optimized for tablets, will have reduced boot time among other cool features. You can learn more about possible Windows 8 features  here.

There could be more concrete details available about Windows 8 next week when Steven Sinofsky, President  of Windows division at Microsoft speaks at 9th D: All Things Digital  conference . Stay tuned for updates.

Update 25 May, 2011 5 pm IST

According to statement from a Microsoft spokesperson,  "We are eagerly awaiting the next generation of Windows 7 hardware that will be available in the coming fiscal year. To date, we have yet to formally announce any timing or naming for the next version of Windows."

Let's see if Mr. Ballmer's schedule of 2012 holds or not.

Microsoft confirms it's buying Skype

Microsoft to pay whopping $8.5 Billion for Skype 

Tech Tracker  You might have used popular communication and collaboration software Skype one or the other time for text chatting, voice calls or maybe for giving a presentation to your boss by sharing your screen.

Lately, There had been rumours floating around that Skype was in talks with some companies including Facebook for making some deal.

After all the talks, it has entered into a definitive agreement with Microsoft under which Microsoft will pay $8.5 billion in cash to acquire Skype from the investor group led by Silver Lake.

So what interest Microsoft has in Skype that it’s ready to pay so much?  There may be several reasons.

·       Skype has 170 million connected users with 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010 

·       Microsoft has plans to bring Skype support to popular Microsoft gaming console Xbox and it’s best selling Kinect add on, it’s mobile OS Windows Phone and other Windows devices.

·      Microsoft has invested in real time communication technologies  including Hotmail, Messenger, Outlook, Xbox LIVE and Lync. It will connect Skype users to these services and other communities

“Microsoft and Skype share the vision of bringing software innovation and products to our customers,” said Skype CEO Tony Bates.

Let’s see how Microsoft integrates Skype with it’s own platforms and services for the benefit of consumers and enterprise. According to Microsoft, it will continue to invest in and support Skype on non Microsoft platforms also.

What's your opinion on this deal ?