With the influx of technological advancements that took place during the last few years, computers, tablet PC’s and smartphones are quickly becoming everyday fixtures of modern society. Almost everybody has one or more of these gadgets, as speed and connectivity are quickly becoming buzzwords necessary for progress and development.
Given such a situation, it is understandable to witness the veritable flood of new operating systems (OS) all clamoring to grab a chunk of the immense IT market. And now, the information technology mogul that is Microsoft recently premiered a new operating system, hoping to beat the competition — with the quirky and innovative Windows 8 OS.
So what are the things that we can expect from this new operating system?
The new Windows 8 probably represents one of the best amalgamations of the touch screen and the desktop technology. Simply put, the Metro interface that was developed specifically for Windows 8 is a touch screen interface that is supposedly able to work on both touch screen tablet PCs and conventional desktop computers. This particular feature is perhaps one of the most drastic and revolutionary changes that Windows 8 has over its contemporaries.
And, this is the type of feature that could very well send Windows 8 skyrocketing into the top of this year’s most sought after operating systems—especially since more and more folks are discovering the joys of having a touch screen interface.
Older folks who are intimidated by touch screens need not fret though, the Windows 8 interface still enables users to access the more traditional and user-friendly Windows desktop that’s been around for years. Simply use your fingers to switch from one interface to another and viola—it’s your good old Windows desktop ready for use again!
Old staple Windows programs like Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Adobe Reader or Paint will work just fine, especially if you have an old computer that does not support a touch screen interface. Perhaps the only advantage that non-touch screen owners will have in installing Windows 8 into their computers is the clean cut design and easy to navigate interface that Windows 8 offers.
However, those lucky ones with touch screen devices will surely fall head over heels with this new OS. Even though many disgruntled naysayers say that the Metro interface is quite hard to get used to especially if one was thoroughly used to the old desktop interface, the novelty and the convenience of having two interfaces on a solitary computer—the Metro and the traditional Windows desktop—will surely eclipse any flaws that the Windows 8 may have. Plus, the OS is still subject to alteration: it’s still in its developing stage, after all.
