Some key features in Windows 8

Yesterday I attended a seminar on Windows 8 Metro Style – Redefining perspective by Sapient Global market; I was really existed about new features of Windows 8 after the seminar. Though I had installed developer preview version on one of my tablet almost 5-6 months back but did not know many of new features of Windows 8 due to limitation in developer preview version. Here is a list of some key features in Windows 8 which will be loved by many of us -

1.       Tile based touch sensitive User Interface – We had first seen tile based user Interface almost 2 years back when Microsoft came out with Windows Phone 7, now Microsoft is bringing the same experience in Windows 8. Microsoft has replaced “Start” menu with Tiles. Tiles can host live information from Windows metro style application without opening the application, very much similar to Windows Phone 7. Tiles are touch sensitive but works equally great with keyboard and mouse.

2.       Support for x86 and ARM – This is the best feature from Windows 8. This operating system is designed to work seamlessly between x86 (Traditional PCs) and ARM (tablets, ultraportable PCs) processors. The biggest advantage of this will be to developers and they don’t need to develop two versions of the same application. Once they develop the app, it will work on both PCs and Tablets. ARM build will also have feature of “always on” that means tablet can remain in standby mode without disconnecting from internet.

3.       Refresh and Reset – The biggest problem with all previous windows versions was re-installation and installation of the operating system.  Microsoft has addressed this painful concern with features like Refresh and Reset. Refresh will keep all personal data, Metro Style apps and important settings before re-installing windows from image but on the other hand Reset will remove all personal data, apps, setting and re-install windows as if installing it first time. But how these two features are useful to end users, now users can just select “Refresh” to fix all the PC problems instead of installing the OS all over again.

4.       Windows in the pocket (Windows to Go) – Portable software is not a new concept and it exists from many years with Linux but what is surprising is Microsoft has brought portability of OS with Windows 8. Users will be able to carry complete Windows 8 image in the USB flash drive and can work from anywhere. One application I can think of, I can carry my corporate windows 8 image in the USB drive at home and can continue working from home in my personal PC. Is it not great?

5.       Full Screen – Windows 8 Metro Style apps and OS is full screen, you won’t see any header, minimize, close. Application will run full Screen.

6.       Charms – Charm Bar is available on the right side of the screen. You need to just swipe your finger towards right to bring up the Charm bar. Charm bar host “Search”, “Share”, “Settings” and more. You can share your current application data with other applications directly using “Share”, Search the system or the data within your application.