After
releasing the developer’s preview of Windows 8 OS back in September,
Microsoft has rolled out its interesting feature-filled consumer copy of
the operating system which aims to rule not only PC’s but Tablets and
Smartphones too.
The company is successful in integrating its traditional Windows
desktop interface with the new Metro interface along with a number of
handy touch features for tablets. Here are some of the interesting ones
that stood up in the user preview of the new OS.
Windows Store
 |
| Windows Store |
The first look of Windows store- Microsoft’s reply to Apple’s App store
was a main attraction in the preview. Apps and softwares are
beautifully categorized into many groups including Social,
Entertainment, Music & Video, news, food and so on. Users can easily
swipe back and forth through the small tiles with many sections like
new release, top paid, top free and all stars. The store currently has
only a few softwares and metro-style apps which can be downloaded by
anyone with a hotmail or Windows live messenger account.
Picture password
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| Picture Password |
It is a beautiful security feature which allows you to provide any
picture and a set of gestures you like, for accessing the system. Simply
select any picture and determine the important portions you like in the
picture by drawing gestures- a circle, line or tap. OS will remember
your actions and allow you access next time with the same gestures. It
significantly reduces login time and increase security.
Semantic Zoom
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| Semantic Zoom |
If you want to see all your App tiles on the start screen, just pinch
on your screen. The feature will shrink all your tiles by intelligently
resizing them, making it easier for you to move the group of tiles and
organize them as you wish.
No More Left-Right Scrolling
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| No More Left-Right Scrolling |
The one feature which will make the keyboard and mouse users happy is
the ability of the mouse to move through Metro page tiles by simply
touching the mouse cursor against edge of the screen, either left or
right. So now you don’t have to scroll down and drag the handle to move
in directions.
New Charms
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| New Charms |
The Charms bar- Microsoft’s new system menu icons will appear on your
screen when you move the mouse to top right edge of screen (In tablets,
swipe from right edge to make it appear). The bar will allow you to
search for anything ranging from apps, settings on your PC to a new
Facebook update.
Navigate/ Control Running Apps with a single touch
 |
| Navigate Apps with a single touch |
On a touch screen, if you swipe your finger in from left edge of the
screen, a vertical stack of thumbnails will appear for all your running
apps. Just touch the thumbnail to switch to that particular app. You can
close an app simply by holding a finger on its window and dragging it
to the bottom of the screen.
Smooth transition between Interfaces
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| Smooth transition between Interfaces |
The OS will shift from its metro user interface to traditional windows
desktop interface quicker and smoother. Now it feels more like a single
operating system with a simple fade to black transition than the slow
animation with Developers preview.
No More Start Button
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| No More Start Button |
With Windows 8, Microsoft virtually killed the traditional Windows
button. When you place the mouse near the old Windows button spot, a new
mini thumb nail of Metro start screen will appear, which will allow you
to do all the functions that you done with the old versions. Right
clicking the thumbnail will bring a list of choices from command prompt
to disk management.
Resizable Keyboard
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| Resizable Keyboard |
The resizable virtual keyboard that appears on both the corners of your
screen will make typing a lot easier. For people who won’t compromise
with key size, Windows provide large, medium and small keyboard layouts.
Full Time Spell Checker and screen capture
Now a spell checker will follow you everywhere in the system, placing a mark on every misspelled word you type. It will help you with corrections on a click.
The new screen capture will allow you to create an image file of the screen anywhere on the system by simply pressing Windows button + Print Screen.
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