14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft already showcased Windows 8 at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2011) in January, but the company is reportedly getting ready to share additional information on the next generation of the Windows client later this year. At CES 2011, the demo presented by Steven Sinofsky, President, Windows and Windows Live Division, focused on support for system-on-chip architectures, with the very early build of what the company referred to as Windows vNext matching Windows 7 in almost all visible details, save for SoC support of course.
The upcoming demonstration could be designed to offer a more comprehensive look at Windows 8, and may even deliver some insights into the flavor of the operating system tailored for Tablet PCs.
An unnamed source close to Microsoft told Business Insider that the software giant is gearing up to unveil the new Windows 8 design for slates in June 2011.
According to the information available, Windows 8 for Tablets features a new UI which is based on the Metro user interface design used for Windows Phone 7. Additionally, the company has apparently opted to offer a UX capable of rivaling Apple’s approach for the interface of the iPad.
Reports have already provided details of a unique UI for Windows 8 running on slates, a project developed under the codename Mosh.
Of course, Microsoft has yet to confirm the details mentioned here, which, except for SoC support, come from third-party sources.
In this regard, users should take such reports with a grain of salt, as the Redmond company could still change details about the next major version of Windows, as long as it hasn’t announced any officially.
According to a leaked timetable for Windows 8, coding for Milestone 3 has already began on February 28th, 2011.
This would certainly make possible a M3 preview in June, followed by the release of the first public Beta of Windows 8 sometime in the second half of 2011.