14 DAY TRIAL // When the beta flavor of Windows 8 arrives, in February, new features and capabilities will be available for all users to enjoy. The Windows 8 Developer Preview offered a glimpse at what Windows 8 is all about, but the final release will have far more than that to offer.
Some of the features that will be included in the next Windows 8 milestones were showcased at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Windows 8 will offer users the possibility to change the Start Screen’s background at a certain point, though it remains to be seen whether the Beta release will indeed include the feature.
At CES 2012, Microsoft showcased the capability, as photos of Windows 8 build 8175 that emerged over at The Verge prove. Users will benefit from a high-level of customizations, it appears.
Moreover, the company demonstrated a translucent Charms Bar at the event, which might also become available in the beta flavor of the platform.
The news site also mentions a new touch gesture that Windows 8 will include, which will offer users the possibility to hide Metro apps from view.
Previous rumors suggested that there would be a new video/music Metro app player included in Windows 8 Beta, and Microsoft showed them too at the event.
Various mouse and keyboard enhancements were demonstrated as well, proving that Microsoft was concerned of the performance and capabilities that desktop users would benefit from as well.
Windows 8 will arrive on the market with support for touchscreen displays, being aimed mainly at tablet PCs, but will also be loaded on non-touch computers, and Microsoft needs to provide these with specific capabilities.
Windows 8 beta is expected to become available in late February, and some more details on what it has to offer should emerge at that time. The first commercially available Windows 8 tablet PCs are expected only later in 2012.