The tech giant, Microsoft (MSFT, Financial), has released eight versions of Windows operating system to date, which have seen a mixed response in most of the cases. The latest version available in the market is the Windows 8 that was launched in 2012 but which did not get a good response from the Microsoft fans.
Now, the company is on the brink of releasing the Windows 9 OS which has already had some of its salient features revealed through rumours and video leaks on technology websites. Microsoft expects to launch this operating system by January 2015, and analysts are awaiting this event as there are hopes that this edition could be a great hit for Microsoft. Let’s spend awhile and look into what the rumours are actually saying. Here’s the total story.
The updation is down the road
The screenshots of the new Windows 9 start menu appeared last month, and recently a two minute video courtesy of German site WinFuture has shown it in action thus confirming its welcome return.
The great news about this version is that there would be a possible integration of the traditional start menu seen in Windows 7 with the controversial Modern UI seen in Windows 8 version. Interestingly, Microsoft seems all set to provide users with the combination to toggle between using the start menu or the Modern UI screen as per the user’s convenience.
So, for those users with touchscreen laptops and tablets, this feature would sound appealing while it also means that Microsoft has not made a total U-turn from what it has launched in the latest Windows 8 version even after it turned out to be a complete failure in enticing the crowd.
Also video leaks online demonstrate the presence of multi-desktop feature for the upcoming OS. This is really a big one both in terms of usefulness and for catching up with immediate rivals. The ability to open, close and quickly switch between multiple virtual desktops has been a part of Linus and Mac OS and the WinFuture has released a video of this working on Windows 9.
The third point which could get a roomful of applause is the new notification center which works in conjunction with the alerts posted by Modern UI apps, system and hardware alerts all in one place.
It is expected that Microsoft will add more functionality to this feature which as per the leaked video has very limited interactive ability, and might put it on offer to third party developers.
What is Microsoft’s take?
The company remains silent as we approach the middle of September, but it is being widely expected that a technical preview would be made available to users by September 30. This date is ringed in many calendars and if Microsoft delivers on the promise being indicated in these leaks we might finally find an operating system the company craves to build to shift the customer base from the older Windows XP and Windows 7 editions.
A leaked document shows that the Preview version is expected to be released between Q2 and Q3 of 2015. Also though the pricing is still not clear, if Microsoft wants to follow the market trend where Apple (AAPL, Financial) gave away the recent version of OS X for free, Windows 9 updation should cost a paltry sum.
Final dictum
One key is that development is likely to be much improved power management and if Microsoft is eager to see the Windows software keep pace with the competitors, it should make great claims for Window’s 9 power management capabilities. If it needs to drag users away from the popular Windows 7 version it needs to update its software and possibly that’s what is round the corner. Let’s fasten our seat belts and keep waiting for the preview that will offer a lot of final insight on the upcoming Windows 9.
