Windows 8 Demo From CES 2012

Hey guys, was fortunate enough to be at CES this year.


Here is a demo that Microsoft was showing at their booth:

Windows 8 Demo -- CES 2012 - YouTube

 

So basically it's focused on personalization, content delivery, and convenience. Unfortunately I can't justify upgrading from Windows 7 to this. It looks half new, but nothing that wows me.

 

I certainly won't bother with it. Its very cool and innovative but very Tablet.

Why would I want that on a pc/laptop.

 

Does anybody know if W8 will work with W7 drivers?, for people who want to upgrade rather than buy an W8 notebook.

John.

 

The Developer Preview worked just fine with Catalyst 12.1 for me.

 

Yes it will work with w7 drivers

 

As he says, it has all of the things you'd expect from Windows. The desktop is still pretty similar to 7.

 

Yes.

It still uses the NT 6.X Kernel so most drivers will still work.

 

so no interest in personal stuff, in gathering content, and in having something convenient then?

i have it on a tablet currently (the one they gave for developers, i5, 11"), and it is absolutely wow. and i'll sure deploy it to all pc's.

then again, i love my windows phone, too, so i totally can't wait to have the same concepts on desktop, notebook, tablet, tv..

 

It is very likely that Windows 8 will bring various improvements over Windows 7, but the metro UI is something I REALLY don't like (at least for dekstops/laptops).
It works ok on smaller touch capable devices like smartphones and tablets, but non-touch devices... meh... it really looks iffy.
If I will swith over to Windows 8, then I will disable the Metro ASAP (unless I see the purpose in keeping it - but as I said, for non-touch devices, it simply leaves an impression of a serious lack of functionality).

 

I didn't know it was easily possible to disable Metro. I thought that's more of a Registry modification, no?

 

a registry modification is just a doubleclick on a .reg file you download, so that's easy to do.

but doing so is stupid. really stupid. you don't try to put the interiour of your old car into the new one, you don't try to remove the garden because your previous home didn't have one, etc..

first: try to use it as is, as it's designed, as it's ment to be. for one month. without changing anything. explore it, learn it, read up on it for stuff you might not find out yourself.

metro is great, but not in the developer build. there it's just functional to launch apps, which is all that's needed for developers. much more will come. it will be great for desktops, too.

to Deks: there is NOTHING that lacks in functionality to non-metro win7. nothing. not even in the dev build.

 

Personally not all that impressed by the video. Guess I would have to play with it once it is fully functional and all the bells and whistles are implimented...........

 

Ktulu, thanks for the video!

I really don't care about the desktop - I never see it anyway, but I never use the Start menu either, except for the search bar.

But Windows 8 seems to have a lot of great improvements that would actually be useful. Here's what I like:

- Ribbon in Explorer. I know most people don't like it, but its collapsible and it gives you the ability to add your most used shortcuts to the title bar - more space for the actual files.

- Improvements in service management. I remember how I used to manually set all the services I don't need to "Manual" when I had a laptop with 1 GB of RAM so they don't automatically run on boot. Now Windows 8 has this by default.

- The improvements in the task manager and copy/move window.

- Storage spaces - basically advanced, easy to setup and use RAID and auto sync.

- System refresh and reset - re-installs the OS without removing your programs as I understand. I have to do this every year since it seems that Windows gets worse with time (to be fair, my copy works pretty well considering it's almost never restarted and is on its third hard drive clone now - it's mostly because of a clogged registry I think).

- More performance improvements (shutdown/restart is faster, better support for multiple cores, better RAM management and SSDs, as i understand), plus the interface looks somewhat sleeker.

These are the reasons I think Windows 8 is great and better than 7, however they're not enough for me to pay for the update, at least for now...

 

I am curious to see how it works with a Wacom tablet. When I am at work with my laptop I usually don't bring a mouse and I navigate with my pen. I put it down to type and that is about it.

Has anyone tried this yet?

 

works okay on my tablet. has pen input and a pen, too. but for non-touch input, we really have to wait till the beta. there are changes coming for mouse etc. pen is typically like using a mouse. so you can't use (yet) a pen to swipe in the browser, for example. but that might change with the beta, as they reported some massive changes to input with mouse and stuff.

and yes, win8 performs much better on identical hw so far, it's impressive. and, while (right now) ugly, the new desktop and explorer are really nice to use. i hope they present a metro-like theme at release to make it more fitting. typically, such design stuff was only presented at the very end of an os release, so, again, wait'n'see it is.

oh btw, all driver updates now have to be without reboot. that's cool, too.

 

Thanks!

I've always been a late upgrader. I upgraded to XP a bit before Vista came out, Vista 6 months before 7 came out, and now I am on Windows 7 Pro with Windows 8 coming in fast.

Maybe I should break my trend.

 

Win8 seems to be faster than Win7. Installer is the same as Win7 so far, but I think they're supposed to be upgrading it.

 

This is a FANTASTIC news! Finally!

 

I think that, like Vista, Win8 is bringing a lot of new and improved ideas/ technologies to the OS. It will be misunderstood and people will wait for Win9, which will basically be Windows 8 with a few tweaks to appease users (just like 7.)

 

How come I NEVER EVER see any videos about the desktop side of Windows 8???

So for desktop/computer users the switch from Windows 7 to 8 is very minimal? Is it not worth upgrading if all you use is a computer? What new features are there (except for the ribbon bar)??? I don't use a tablet so the Metro UI is useless to me.

 

They Demo'd Windows 8 with keyboard and mouse at CES:

Windows 8 build 8175 hands-on at CES 2012 - YouTube

 

I gave W8 w/ the whole "Metro UI" a concept a try a couple of months ago using a 3 year old desktop PC and the experience was so so. While it was undeniably faster (both in Metro and out of Metro UI) I didn't really like Metro at all. And yes I know it was alpha/beta so I wasn't expecting it to be perfect but it was little things that were annoying the heck out of me.

Anyways are there any direct links to the latest build of W8 that I can try out?

 

Microsoft's Windows 8 Certification Requirements Revealed

Windows 8 Hardware Certification Requirements

 

because the desktop side is a) not what it's about and b) not really done yet in the dev preview that's out c) it's mostly about compatibility, thus not where the innovation happens.

but there are details about stuff on the desktop already (the new explorer, the way it interacts with metro).


but your main issue is the BELIEVE that metro ui is useless to you. that is totally wrong. totally. but to understand that, you'll have to wait'n'see till beta / full release. to you, it'll be two things: a startmenu on steroids (in the good sence), and a huge collection of apps that are very easy to use and tailored in their features (and looking good at it). simplicity for the stuff you use frequently + complexity where you need it (visual studio, photoshop, 3d studio max, office stuff, ableton live) together in one, united environment is useful for everyone.

 

wait a month and the beta is out. there is no official build out yet. don't try the torrents.

and no, it was not "not yet expect it to be perfect". it was "only that what a developer needs to test it's own app and NOTHING ELSE". big difference.

it's a car that can drive on the road. it has no interiors, no comfort, no radio, no real seats or anything.

in short: wait for the beta. what you saw was just the essential parts to let developers test THEIR apps in metro. NOT to test the new win8 ui.

 

Agreed, that is why the video did not impress me. Need to wait for casual user side to be polished off.......................

 

W8 doesn't seem enough to warrant me buying it over Windows 7, but like it or hate it, we'll all end up with this OS eventually

 

I just hope that you can use Win 7 style start menu. In the Developer Preview I'm messing with right now there's no option to do so. I also can't seem to exit out of programs. There's not option to do so. I have to open Task Manager (ctrl-shift-esc) and close the process. Although I kinda like the new task manager layout.

From what I'm seeing so far I'll stick with Windows 7.

edit: you can change to classic start menu with this: http://solo-dev.deviantart.com/art/Windows-8-Start-Menu-Toggle-258422929

<param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-VnsHmVs1UA?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-VnsHmVs1UA?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width='640' height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed>

 

One of the big changes to Windows 8 is Desktop Activity Monitor (DAM) that manages applications and processes so there isn't a need to close the application...

 

There is ALWAYS a need to close applications, and there should always be an option to do so. I'm fine that they want to make it tablet friendly, but don't force this crap on a traditional desktop UI and for power users that want control. There is no way to switch to other apps except by alt-tab, how am I supposed to do that with a touch screen?

 

You can switch to other programs (desktop or Metro App) through finger or pen flicks from the left side of the screen, this also works using the Mouse. Windows 8 is not going to be like earlier versions...

DAM suspends applications and makes the app's resources available and those that are AOAC (Always On, Always Connected) can pull down information even while suspended....

This is how modern memory management is handled. Traditional Desktop Applications are still closed as they have always been but do not need to be closed because DAM manages Win32/64 as well...

 

I tried going to the side with the mouse to flick and other things, but it just doesn't work. And if there's one thing I've learned, letting application management should be left to the user.

 

You are using the Developer's Preview? Full Mouse and Keyboard support was not implemented in that build, as the goal was to create "Touch First" Metro Applications. I'm sure we see Mouse and keyboard fully supported in the Beta, which should be right around the corner....

 

I understand that. And know it's a developer's preview, so won't get too excited about it until we get release candidate. Wonder if TechNet subscribers will get the beta or if it will be MSDN only?

 

Haven't heard, I believe that the Beta will be a public beta....

 

One thing I really hope they do is implement the search field right into the start menu (or what's left of it), so I can press the Win key and type my search right away.

I use the search field for opening apps, files, finding stuff, opening sites - it's basically replaced the desktop and start menu for me, so it would be a bit inconvenient to have to use the mouse to use it in Windows 8.

 

I had to rebuild the Slate I was using Windows 8 on for a co-worker (back to Windows 7), so I can not test to see if Windows Key and Typing has the same effect, I hope they don't remove that feature as well...

 

It's still there. You can also do win key + F.

 

How can you tell someone they are totally wrong about what they need/want. You are totally wrong, it will be totally useless/worthless to me and many people. I am a fairly advanced user, a computer scientist who often prefers the command line even in Windows and has two versions of Linux installed as well as Windows 7. So please tell me how this Metro crap will ever be something I want?

I buy a computer to have full control over not to have it dictate to me how I get to use it and how it looks (why I like Linux). If all of this silly rubbish can be disabled then fair enough, I don't mind it being there for those who want it, but if it can't I imagine a lot of advanced users are going to be sticking to Windows 7 as their alternative at the very least (that has also been the sentiment from the entire uni IT staff here).

As a tablet OS on the other hand it could be the one to topple the Ipad, it looks like it has the potential to be vastly superior in that market.

 

The interface looks like a Entertainment Oriented Interface that distracts techies.
But I am sure they have "classic mode" as usual.
This is the company that still keeps the Win95 GUI until 2012.
If it is Microsoft maintains backward compatibility rather than tells users "You are doing it wrong" like Apple.

 

The Beta 1 release will give a better idea as to what the GA version will look like.

Windows 8 Mobile Broadband Enhancements Detailed

Using mobile broadband in Windows 8 will no longer require specific drivers and third-party software, says Microsoft's Billy Anders in a Building Windows 8 blog post today. This is thanks to the new Mobile Broadband Interface Model (MBIM) standard, which hardware makers are reportedly already beginning to adopt, and a generic driver in Windows 8 that can interface with any chip supporting that standard.

We've known for awhile now that mobile broadband chips would be treated as first-class devices in Windows 8 - the same as wi-fi, ethernet, Bluetooth, and USB 3.0, among others - but as usual Microsoft's blog post discusses the subject in exhaustive detail: because of their new first-class status, broadband antennas can be turned on and off in the same way that wi-fi and Bluetooth now are, and Airplane Mode can turn all of it off in one swoop, just like on a smartphone (see above). As on phones, Windows will automatically prioritize wi-fi networks when both wi-fi and cellular are available.
AnandTech - Windows 8 Mobile Broadband Enhancements Detailed

Also Gigabyte Wireless Is Coming:
Expect 802.11ac devices to start rolling out buy Q3 2012.

It's only on the 5ghz band so bye bye 2.4ghz.

It's backwards compatible on the 5ghz band.

TrendNet has announced their 802.11ac dual-band with 1300Mbps TEW-811D router.

 

Thats good news.

However the more I see and hear reactions to W8 the more I'm convinced that it will be like Vista all over again.....the Metro UI is so radically different that its bound to provoke either "love it or hate" responses.

I'll wait for the beta to make my final opinion but from my small time with the developer preview I'm not at all sold on Metro UI. I just want a simple on/off button for it at this point.

 

I feel the same about Win8 as well. Although they will most likely have a way to make it similar to Win7 as they do with previous versions of Windows.

 

You ought to read this:

Designing search for the Start screen - Building Windows 8 - Site Home - MSDN Blogs

 

Lol I'd pay to have a spy cam in every home of the average user who upgrades to Windows 8. Cuz you know they don't pay attention to any of this stuff and it will be such a shock to them I think. I'd love to record those first few moments and their reaction. For some reason I think day 1 will just hilarious....

 

I really dislike Metro UI. It tries too hard to go full GUI when users are used to keyboard mouse interaction, not emulating finger flicks with a mouse and keyboard.

And yes it will be quite humorous when users get their new Windows 8 PC's expecting something like Vista or 7. I actually think Microsoft will get a lot of backlash for this unless they make Win 7 type interface default with the option for the Metro UI, unless it's a tablet of course.

 

It's a huge difference. But, again, don't judge for the developer version. the mouse and keyboard control in there are functional, and nothing more. Because that's all that's needed right now. Sinofsky stated that they'll change stuff in handling it for the beta.

Can't wait for it to be out finally. I'll insta-migrate my whole home. From tablet to desktop.

 

Thanks for the link. It's good to see that the Win key goes straight to search, however the way it does it is a bit convoluted: it brings up the whole Metro UI instead of just the sidebar - I hope the final version just slides the sidebar open - that would be perfect...

 

In the newest Windows 8 Consumer Preview Build 6.2.8220 there is no Start Button

The taskbar is like a "dock", you can make appear the start page by using the charm bar (charm bar appear with mouse too, put the cursor in any border)

This is BETA candidate, OEMs have 2 weeks to test this build.