"What we're seeing more and more of is Microsoft trying to bleed its divisions together," said Yankee Group analyst Daniel Taylor. "We saw it with the integration of the 'Live' branding throughout different Microsoft services. We saw it with the connectivity between Windows Phone and Xbox. I would expect to see an even stronger link to Windows Phone and Xbox 360 within Windows 8."
If you haven't upgraded your current computer setup to Windows 7 yet, hold your horses -- the landscape is about to change with Windows 8 now becoming the center of attention.
Shortly after Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) released a pre-beta build of the operating system to select partners, screenshots have begun surfacing on Microsoft enthusiast sites.
Ribbons All Around
That shouldn't surprise anyone, but what may are the details revealed within the screenshots. For example, Within Windows exposed several images showing off a Microsoft Office-like Ribbon in Windows Explorer.
The new user interface for finding and organizing files gives users more control over settings such as how to display files, security options, file sharing and more.
While some users dislike the Ribbon UI in Office, it does make navigating features and settings a bit more intuitive, and anything that can bring cohesion to Windows Explorer is a good thing. It seems like the days of the traditional "File," "Edit," "Tools" bar at the top of program windows may be coming to an end.
Microsoft also abandoned that traditional aesthetic in its recently released Internet Explorer 8.
For those who absolutely hate the Ribbon or think it adds clutter, there is reportedly an option to hide it and go back to a Windows 7-style appearance.
Completely New Log-on Screen
From the early screenshots, it looks like not much has changed with the bottom task bar. It looks nearly identical to Windows 7, but this is my no means a finished version of Windows 8.
What doesn't look the same as Windows 7, or any other version of Microsoft's PC operating systems, is the log-on screen.
Within Windows posted a picture of the new OS's welcome screen, and it's a starkly different look -- that is, for anyone without a Windows Phone 7 device.
Those familiar with the mobile platform will recognize the aesthetic immediately, as the screen looks very similar to what Windows Phone handsets display upon boot-up or wake-up. It's a subtle hint of integrated content between platforms, but it may speak to a bigger corporate strategy.
"What we're seeing more and more of is Microsoft trying to bleed its divisions together," Yankee Group analyst Daniel Taylor told TechNewsWorld. "We saw it with the integration of the 'Live' branding throughout different Microsoft services. We saw it with the connectivity between Windows Phone and Xbox. I would expect to see an even stronger link to Windows Phone and Xbox 360 within Windows 8."
Windows 7 vs. Windows 8
Microsoft has not stated when it expects Windows 8 to be available for the mass market, and it did not respond to TechNewsWorld's requests for comment. Considering that Windows 7 just came out to retail 18 months ago, is it too early for an upgrade? Taylor says no.
"It's not surprising that Windows 8 screenshots are leaking this early, but I also wouldn't have expected to see them any earlier," he said. "The timing seems just about right, which for Microsoft is hopefully an indication that everything is on schedule as it should be."
It was less than two years between the release of Windows Vista and Windows 7, so it wouldn't be out of the question for Windows 8 to come out this year. But behind the scenes, the environment is likely different from what it was the last time Microsoft updated its operating system.
"People looked at Windows 7 with a hyper-critical eye, because in everyone's mind it needed to knock Vista out of the park," Tim Slattery, founder of HomePCBuilder.com, told TechNewsWorld. "It did just that, and consumers are pleased with Windows 7. Now, users can look ahead to Windows 8 with anticipation. No one is looking at the new OS with skepticism."
If you haven't upgraded your current computer setup to Windows 7 yet, hold your horses -- the landscape is about to change with Windows 8 now becoming the center of attention.
Shortly after Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) released a pre-beta build of the operating system to select partners, screenshots have begun surfacing on Microsoft enthusiast sites.
Ribbons All Around
That shouldn't surprise anyone, but what may are the details revealed within the screenshots. For example, Within Windows exposed several images showing off a Microsoft Office-like Ribbon in Windows Explorer.
The new user interface for finding and organizing files gives users more control over settings such as how to display files, security options, file sharing and more.
While some users dislike the Ribbon UI in Office, it does make navigating features and settings a bit more intuitive, and anything that can bring cohesion to Windows Explorer is a good thing. It seems like the days of the traditional "File," "Edit," "Tools" bar at the top of program windows may be coming to an end.
Microsoft also abandoned that traditional aesthetic in its recently released Internet Explorer 8.
For those who absolutely hate the Ribbon or think it adds clutter, there is reportedly an option to hide it and go back to a Windows 7-style appearance.
Completely New Log-on Screen
From the early screenshots, it looks like not much has changed with the bottom task bar. It looks nearly identical to Windows 7, but this is my no means a finished version of Windows 8.
What doesn't look the same as Windows 7, or any other version of Microsoft's PC operating systems, is the log-on screen.
Within Windows posted a picture of the new OS's welcome screen, and it's a starkly different look -- that is, for anyone without a Windows Phone 7 device.
Those familiar with the mobile platform will recognize the aesthetic immediately, as the screen looks very similar to what Windows Phone handsets display upon boot-up or wake-up. It's a subtle hint of integrated content between platforms, but it may speak to a bigger corporate strategy.
"What we're seeing more and more of is Microsoft trying to bleed its divisions together," Yankee Group analyst Daniel Taylor told TechNewsWorld. "We saw it with the integration of the 'Live' branding throughout different Microsoft services. We saw it with the connectivity between Windows Phone and Xbox. I would expect to see an even stronger link to Windows Phone and Xbox 360 within Windows 8."
Windows 7 vs. Windows 8
Microsoft has not stated when it expects Windows 8 to be available for the mass market, and it did not respond to TechNewsWorld's requests for comment. Considering that Windows 7 just came out to retail 18 months ago, is it too early for an upgrade? Taylor says no.
"It's not surprising that Windows 8 screenshots are leaking this early, but I also wouldn't have expected to see them any earlier," he said. "The timing seems just about right, which for Microsoft is hopefully an indication that everything is on schedule as it should be."
It was less than two years between the release of Windows Vista and Windows 7, so it wouldn't be out of the question for Windows 8 to come out this year. But behind the scenes, the environment is likely different from what it was the last time Microsoft updated its operating system.
"People looked at Windows 7 with a hyper-critical eye, because in everyone's mind it needed to knock Vista out of the park," Tim Slattery, founder of HomePCBuilder.com, told TechNewsWorld. "It did just that, and consumers are pleased with Windows 7. Now, users can look ahead to Windows 8 with anticipation. No one is looking at the new OS with skepticism."