As usual when I attend a conference, I like to take quick notes to remember what it was all about and take some time later to analyze it. Since Windows 8 is going to be the next big things, let me share my notes with you!
- Today is a launch
- Start by talking about Win7
- 450000000 copies of win7 sold
- Win7 usage is finally greater than XP usage
- 520’000’000 people using Windows Live services
- World of computing is changing
- especially since 1995, last big Windows overhaul
- Touch is very important in Win8
- New form factors, new user experiences, new scenarios, new opportunities
What is Windows 8?
- Everything that was running on Win7 PCs is going to run on Win8.
- Took everything that was good in Win7 and made it even better in Win8
- Metro style applications
- Full screen
- Immersive
- World class development tools
- Windows Live will be an intrisic part of Windows 8 experience
Performance gains
- This is a fundamental concern for MSFT
- Shows first generation netbook running Win8
- Less memory for Win8 than for Win7 SP1
- “Picture login”: Press on various places of a picture screen to log in (3 presses)
UX
- Demoes new immersive UX
- Login using a Picture password screen, touch 3 areas of a custom picture to login
- Swiping to access important features
- Start screen with categories
- Pinch gesture to organize categories
- On screen keyboard with Metro look and feel
- Docking screens on the side
- Multitasking
- IE10 completely chromeless
- Touch first, “fast and fluid”, immersive, full screen
- If you prefer keyboard and mouse, it’s fine
- Can rotate the devices too
How to build applications
- You pick the language you want to build apps.
- XAML/C#
- XAML/VB
- XAML/C++
- XAML/C
- HTML/JS
- Windows RT is the runtime
- Start by selecting which language you want to use to get started (VS templates)
- Various app templates
- Starts by demoing an HTML based app with JavaScript
- Demoes how to publish to the app store.
- Price
- Trial period (1 day, 7 days, 1 month, none…)
- Certification process
App store
- Submitting app directly triggered from VS11
XAML
- Existing Silverlight applications can be turned into Metro apps super easily (couple of namespaces changes)
- Same apps can run on the phone very easily (another couple changes)
- Just select what you prefer.
- Application will run on all the hardware that Win8 supports.
Security/Perf/Battery
- Booting from a USB drive infected with rootkit virus
- Immediate detection before laptop even boots
- New “connected standby” state
- Turns on immediately with one click
- Very low power consumption
And professional use?
Well it is a PC. All Windows 7 apps will run on Windows 8 too. This thing is not a toy, this is a full blown PC. And I think that it is exactly what will make Windows 8 successful on slates and tablets.
Print | posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 7:41 PM