Jun 2, 2011 08:29 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft released the first official preview of Windows 8, offering a small taste of what’s coming next. Along with the first ever Windows 8 video demo, Microsoft also published a screenshot of the Start View.

Combining natural user interface concepts with the graphical user interface, the Redmond company came up with a new Windows 8 UI that it tailored specifically to next generation form factors.

Previewed at D9 and Computex, Windows 8’s Start View can be viewed either in the video embedded below or in the image at the top of this article.

Actually, make sure to check out the screenshot, since there are some very interesting details in the Windows 8 Start View that you might not want to miss.

The new tile-based multitouch optimized Windows 8 UI features seamless integration with a range of Cloud services, including Windows Live Hotmail, Twitter, Facebook (I assume), the Microsoft Store.

The tablet version of Windows 8 is of course designed for usage scenarios involving perpetual connectivity to the Internet, much in the same manner as Windows Phone, and this will of course explain the similarities with the WP7 UI.

There are also some more, let’s say traditional programs featured on the Windows 8 Start View, including Windows Live Messenger and a calendaring app.

I also want to highlight Internet Explorer 10. And make no mistake about it, it will be IE10 that ships with Windows 8.

The right hand side portion of the screenshot also offers some interesting details. Obviously, there will be Pictures, Videos, Music tiles / applications, but also a Control Panel app, and most important, a shortcut to a traditional desktop.

Julie Larson-Green, Corporate Vice President, Windows Experience revealed “a few aspects of the new interface:

• Fast launching of apps from a tile-based Start screen, which replaces the Windows Start menu with a customizable, scalable full-screen view of apps.

• Live tiles with notifications, showing always up-to-date information from your apps.

• Fluid, natural switching between running apps.

• Convenient ability to snap and resize an app to the side of the screen, so you can really multitask using the capabilities of Windows.

• Web-connected and Web-powered apps built using HTML5 and JavaScript that have access to the full power of the PC.

• Fully touch-optimized browsing, with all the power of hardware-accelerated Internet Explorer 10.”

I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the first preview of Windows 8. Hit me with your opinions - comments section below.

Also, make sure to keep your eyes on Softpedia as additional Windows 8 details will be provided throughout the day.