New Windows 8 Features Revealed in Screenshots

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Microsoft built a dud in Windows Vista, and so it’s probably making up for losses in Windows 7, which is quite a solid product. If leaked screenshots of Windows 8 are any indication, it seems the upcoming OS will also fare well.

Leaked screenshots from pre-beta builds suggest several new features in Windows 8 that will improve the user experience.

• “Immersive” Internet Explorer. Early beta reviewers say that Windows 8 will feature an “immersive” web browser, which renders webpages on a desktkop-like layout, but with smartphone like look and feel.
• Metro. First, the tiled Metro user interface found in Windows Phone 7 smartphones will make an appearance, which will likely make Windows 8 more tablet-friendly.
• PDF Reader. Windows 8 will also have a built-in PDF reader called Modern Reader that can natively read PDFs in its natural format. The reader will include zooming and page navigation capabilities.
• App store. While no details have been disclosed, Windows 8 is said to feature an application package type called AppX, which will make it easier for developers to design and deploy applications via computers and mobile devices. This is particularly important, since Windows 8 is said to be cloud-friendly.
• Aero customizations. Windows 8 will feature better customization of the Aero interface, which will include color schemes and blending for easier color-matching with the background (considering the translucent window frames and corners).
• History Vault. This feature is said to be similar to the Mac OS X Time Machine, which lets users back-up on the fly, and restore files and settings from specific backup points.

Aside from these leaked features, Windows 8 is reportedly going to make heavy use of the Ribbon interface that made its first appearance in Microsoft Office 2007, amid mixed reactions from users.

Windows 8 is targeted for a 2012 release, and Microsoft is hoping the tablet will be a popular choice of operating systems for tablets, embedded devices, as well as PCs.