“Bold move” and“Microsoft” are not words you’re accustomed to seeing in the samesentence, but today the wraps came off of Windows 8, and it’s clear we’reseeing a new Microsoft. Everyone is universal in their claim that Windows 8 ConsumerPreview is the most significant release since Windows 95.Redmond has pulled off a difficult task: It has united its Windows for desktops and tablets intoan operating system that is intuitive, slick and doesn’t feel like something it bitfrom Apple. It’s refreshing to see Microsoft genuinely innovating on the OS frontagain.The biggest changes in Windows 8 are its navigation. TheStart button is no longer front-and-center in the Windows task bar, and it’sreplaced by a previewing task switcher that emerges when you gesture over the bottom left corner. This is how you multitask in Windows 8, and the content previews make it asleek experience. The Start button itself has moved to the charms bar on the right of thedesktop, which also gives quick access to other Windows components like Search, ControlPanels, etc. It’s also gesture-activated, with hot corners featuring heavily in how you interact with the new OS.The Windows 8 Start screen is themost impressive addition. It is the most visibly tablet- or phone-like aspect, and is acombined media explorer and widget gallery. Microsoft got rid of the original nasty green background of the Developer Preview, showing that it is listening to users whointuitively know that green in design doesn’t mean “go” but“puke.” Anyway, it’s fully customizable so you can set it back to“OMG, my eyes” green if you like.Microsoft knows who its users are and it hasn't thrown out everything you hold dear to a Windowsexperience. The desktop feels familiar and Windows-like, and the taskbar still holds yourfavorite notifications and apps -- you’ll still be able to hack away at your videocard. It will just look a lot cooler while you do it.The blinding pace at which Microsoft is making changes to Windows 8 is awe-inspiring -- over100,000 changes have been implemented since the Developer Preview was released -- andshows that it has shaken off the barnacles of design-by-committee and is capable ofinnovating rapidly. Microsoft, we love what you’ve done to your hair and yes. We noticed. Continue Reading

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