Windows 8 Samsung tablet due to be showcased at BUILD

Microsoft enthusiasts are expecting big things from the software giant at BUILD, which starts today. Users are eagerly awaiting details on OS Windows 8, which Microsoft claims in a blog, “is the most radical change in its OS since Windows 95”.

Windows 8 is made to run on multiple devices ranging from desktops and laptops to tablets. It has a touch-centric start screen that holds applications in tiles. This design is similar to the Metro UI in Windows Phone 7. The OS is built in such a way that users can also use keyboard and mouse programmes on the desktop.
   
Microsoft’s online App Store is something else that is expected to be demonstrated at BUILD. There are rumours that it is a lot like the Mac App Store. Experts are also wondering whether the new OS will be able to run Windows Phone 7 apps. According to Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang, it will. A confirmation from Microsoft at BUILD would be welcome.

Windows 8 supposedly promises a faster boot up time. According to Microsoft, the OS uses a hybrid technique that falls between a restart and the hibernation state. By spreading the work across a number of processor cores, the software giant is trying to speed up the rate at which the system comes out of hibernation too. Developers are looking forward to seeing Windows 8 in action at the conference.

Users are hoping that Microsoft will also declare when they will be able to get their hands on the beta version of Windows 8. Remember how much time the beta version of Windows 7 took to reach them?

Probably the biggest question on everyone’s minds is whether Windows 8 will be showcased on a prototype device or will it come to life on Windows 7 slates. On the heels of this hope comes another. Rumour has it that Steven Sinofsky of Microsoft will release the new Windows 8 Samsung tablet at the event.

It is as yet unclear which processor the tablet will run on, whether an Intel chip or an ARM processor. Though it was initially thought Microsoft will choose the energy saving ARM, recent rumours speculate that Microsoft is going in for Intel. According to the software giant, Windows 8 tablets will be able to run all the applications of the desktop OS.

Microsoft may well have quite a few surprises in store for us at BUILD. Lets hope the company is able to deliver all that it has promised; it will be interesting how it fares against Google and Apple in the coming months.