Microsoft launches Windows 8 operating system

Microsoft launched its latest Windows 8 operating system on October 25, 2012. The techno giant unveiled its Windows 8 at a press conference in New York City today.

Addressing the press conference, Steven Sinofsky, the president of the company’s ‘Windows and Windows Live division’ said that the company’s new operating system went through 1,240,000,000 hours of testing in public in 190 countries. He also said that till date no product has received this kind of testing anywhere in the world.

Windows 8 is being seen as a significant shift from earlier versions of the software as it is based on touchscreens and smartphones instead of the traditional PC and mouse. The company has also set the price for an upgrade to the full version of the software at USD 70 for a DVD pack. Microsoft has also started taking pre-orders for Windows 8.

Windows 8 is especially designed for PCs, tablet computers and Smartphones unlike previous versions of Windows. The operating system uses tiles instead of traditional program icons which uses swipe and touch to operate as in touch screen. Its innovative and crisp design has earned positive feedback from early users even though it is giant leap from Windows PC, used by millions of users daily.

According to analysts, Microsoft's sale of personal devices has dropped down drastically from 95% of the PC market to around one third of all personal device sales including PCs, tablet computers and mobiles. The launch of Windows 8 is being considered as a significant step which will enable Microsoft to expand beyond PC. It will help Microsoft to look its future in the direction of tablets and smartphones. Analysts have described Windows 8 as a giant leap in technology and have mentioned it as a radical change since the windows replaced DOS in the year 1995.

Analysts have also forecasted 30% rise in Microsoft share due to the booming tablet market by 2016. However, it may not boost company’s position in Smartphones. The launch of Windows 8 occurs at the crucial moment for Microsoft, coming just 48 hours after Apple stole the headlines with the launch of its new iPad mini. The other major launch for Microsoft is the opening of the Windows Store, which is now available in 231 markets. The Store will feature both applications for the newly launched Windows 8 user interface along with links to existing desktop applications.