2-4-6-8, who do we appreciate? The Windows 8 Release Preview! The biggest sneak peek at Microsoft's next generation of operating system is here, and you can try it for yourself right now. We've taken a look at the new features, so what's new -- and are they any good?
CNET's Seth Rosenblatt got his hands on the new software, and has been trying out the raft of new features, including multi-touch gestures and shedloads of syncing, noting that it's smoother and faster than previous previews.
Windows 8 is the first version of Windows to support multi-touch. The core gestures are pinch-to-zoom, two-finger scrolling and edge swiping, which lets you swipe in and out of the edge of a touchscreen or trackpad to call up different apps or menus, or perfom actions like moving through your history in Internet Explorer.
In our tests, we found gestures worked great on the start screen, settings menus and other Windows 8 general screens, but it seems actual apps aren't entirely ready for poking and prodding.
With its gestures and large colourful tiles, Windows 8 is designed to work on tablets and touchscreens. But we've also tried it with a trackpad and with a mouse, and found it's easy to get to grips with even on an older computer.
Like Windows Phone, the mobile operating system from which the tile-based interface is borrowed, Windows 8 has default apps like News, Travel, Mail, Weather and so on. The built-in News and Travel apps are a bit crashy, but we like the Sports app, which lets you set your own team to pull in scores, news, and stats. Handy to see what's happening at Tranmere Rovers FC (Ronnie Moore's blue-and-white army).
And like your phone, the lock screen displays notifications and controls music.
For our in-depth look at the new features, check out CNET.com's Windows 8 Release Preview First Take on the new touch pad drivers, new default apps, and improved features -- and then go see for yourself: download it free from Microsoft's own site or CNET's Download.com.
What do you think of Windows 8? Will you try the new Release Preview, and what are your first impressions? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 14
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anonymous 31 May, 2012 21:46
seems like the same crap as the other two previews. Won't download it!
Mark Anderson 1 June, 2012 09:31
@anonymous
Probably best to leave it to adults, eh?
Anyway...
I'll need to get to downloading this version once I've cleared the latest disappointing iteration of Ubuntu off my test box. Metro is clearly a polarising feature for most people although, since you can reconfigure to a more traditional look in approximately three or four clicks, one wonders how many of the people who are moaning actually use Windows at all?
jayce35 1 June, 2012 12:57
I have tried and i can't stand the desktop side is what I use ands rubbish can't do as much on win 8 that you can it feels as locked down as the phone version which is just as bad I'll stick with win 7
Grier78 1 June, 2012 13:29
Is Windows 7 the new XP? Cant see a reason to upgrade to Win 8 unless I buy touchscreen laptop, quite happy with my Android tablet and wont be switching to a Windows one if I can help it. As more time goes on there is less and less reasons to use Windows for anything other than work.
Nerosa 1 June, 2012 16:39
I would install Windows 8 on account of the speed, but I think the touchscreen gestures are pointless if you don't have a touchscreen. I'm not going to buy a touchscreen laptop because it is too expensive, and I'm not going to install a touchscreen on my current one because you have to be careful and frankly it's too hard for me, and I don't want to risk breaking my laptop :) The only basis on which I get new computers is if they break or are really slow and 10 years old. Also I think the removal of the start button is ridiculous as it is the only way I can find my way around Windows 7, I use it all the time and I don't know where I'd be without it :/
anonymous 2 June, 2012 08:50
Actually feeling a bit sorry for Microsoft these days. They have failed in a spectacular way to keep up. Windows in any flavour seems to be an irelivance in these times of iPads iPhones and Android products. Even businesses are using Apple tablets and Macs are in the ascendency. Who would of thought that Microsoft would of become the underdog of the tech world
Mark Anderson 3 June, 2012 22:54
@anonymous
So, just so we're clear, is this the Microsoft who have 95% of the commercial notebook/desktop market and about 90% of the notebook/consumer desktop market we're talking about?
As opposed to Apple who have increased sales from 2% to.... 5%.
Well alright then.
anonymous 4 June, 2012 09:51
@Mark Anderson Oh dear, I seem to of touched a raw nerve! You must either be a Microsoft employee or your job depends on the built in unreliablity factor of Windows! Despite your quoted outdated figures Apple could afford to buy Microsoft several times over and are the richest company in the world. My guess is they maybe doing something right!
anonymous 4 June, 2012 14:12
Since I needed to re-install Windows anyway, I gave this a shot... for all of about 15 minutes.
I'm amazed how un-intuitive and "in the way" the new interface feels. Like most people, I didn't read any instructions and dived in, and it was incredibly difficult to do normal things like "close a program" or "restart the computer". It might amuse some tech journos and geeks for a while, but I really cannot see why Microsoft is trying to translate touch into what - for most people - remains a work environment.
Yes, I'm sure we'll adjust in time when there's no choice... but I can't help but feel that all this swishy nonsense and flashy transitions makes it harder to focus on the reason you're sitting in front of a computer, instead of running around outside.
anonymous 5 June, 2012 12:30
Windows 8 is not worth to try in UK. Microsoft is not giving full privilege to UK users..Only supported countries are US, Japan, France & Germany. see below link...
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/disable-fake-location-firefox-internet-explorer-chrome/
anonymous 5 June, 2012 12:31
Windows 8 is not worth to try in UK. Microsoft is not giving full privilege to UK users..Only supported countries are US, Japan, France & Germany. see below link..
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-winapps/xbox-live-zune-login-uk/4d333380-c99c-4e51-b510-42ad17815461
Mark Anderson 6 June, 2012 18:29
@anonymous
"You must either be a Microsoft employee or your job depends on the built in unreliablity factor of Windows!"
Neither. I use a Macbook and a Windows 7 PC but I come form a planet called 'Earth'. You may have heard of it.
"Apple could afford to buy Microsoft several times over"
Microsoft's current market cap is $250 billion. Taking 'several' to mean at least three, are you saying that Apple have $750 billion cash in hand?
Fanboys, eh? Gotta love the RDF!
anonymous 6 June, 2012 23:48
@ Mark Anderson
Apple is only a company about to become world first $1trillion company ii bet they could buy microsoft http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2126453/Apple-worlds-1TRILLION-company-analysts-predict-share-price-overtakes-Google.html
anonymous 12 June, 2012 17:19
If they made a version of Windows that combined the speed of Windows 8 and the basic features such as a start menu in Windows 7, I would be happy. It's just a shame they've made that horrible, counterproductive mess which looks like it has come straight out of the Fischer-Price factory.
They are also making an unsubtle attempt at reducing the amount of unauthorized third party software, instead encouraging, or in the case of the ARM version, forcing people to purchase apps from the built in store. I want to be free to do what I want with my operating systems, and Windows 8 simply does not offer this opportunity. I will avoid it at all costs.
Rant over.