Why Microsoft has made developers horrified about coding for Windows 8

When Microsoft gave the first public demonstration of Windows 8 a week ago, the reaction from most circles was positive. The new Windows 8 user interface looks clean, attractive, and thoughtful, and in a first for a Microsoft desktop operating system, it's finger friendly. But one aspect of the demonstration has the legions of Windows developers deeply concerned, and with good reason: they were told that all their experience, all their knowledge, and every program they have written in the past would be useless on Windows 8.

Why Microsoft has made developers horrified about coding for Windows 8

Should developers be scared of what Windows 8 will bring?

In an attempt to make the operating system more ‘finger friendly’ Microsoft seems to be getting ready to move away from plaform technologies such as Win32, COM, MFC, ATL, .NET, Silverlight, and WPF and instead start embracing web-based technologies such as HTML5 and JavaScript to create immersive applications. Should Windows developers be scared?

Should developers be scared of what Windows 8 will bring? | ZDNet

Windows 8 UI Revolution Triggers Fear and Loathing

Ah, yes, the sweet smell of revolution. Thanks to even the smallest bit of Windows 8 news, those of us on the Windows side of the fence now face a sunny future. In fact, we haven't been this excited since 2003, when Microsoft unleashed its vision for "Longhorn" on the world. The end to that story, of course, wasn't so positive--in fact, I think it triggered or was at least emblematic of a decade-long funk at the software giant--but there's a new sheriff in town now. And if I know anything about Steven Sinofsky, the man most directly responsible for Windows today, it's that this is a guy who keeps his promises. And when Mr. Sinofsky says that the changes coming in Windows 8 represent the biggest change to Windows since Windows 95, I don't just believe him. I think he's under-selling it.

http://www.windowsitpro.com/article... windowsitpro/wininfo (WIN>News>WinInfo News)

Asus keen on Windows 8 for next Eee Pad Transformer
Convertible tablet could suit touch optimised Windows OS
Let the Windows 8 hardware rumours begin.
According to Notebook Italia, Asus is eyeing Windows 8 for the next version of its Eee Pad Transformer, a tablet with an optional keyboard and trackpad dock that props the device up like a netbook.
The new model will reportedly launch in 2012, alongside a sequel to the Android version that launched in late April. Both models should be thinner and lighter than the current Eee Pad, and while the Android version will reportedly cost the same as the first generation Eee Pad, the Windows version will be pricier.

Asus keen on Windows 8 for next Eee Pad Transformer - Techworld.com

Keep the updates coming I'm excited to get windows 8 when it comes out

A Microsoft VP has hinted at the upcoming Windows 8 release date.

Dan’l Lewin, corporate vice president for Strategic and Emerging Business Development, revealed that the company is targeting an Autumn 2012 release for Windows 8. Speaking at the start-up LAUNCH event at the Microsoft Silicon Valley campus, Lewin hinted that Microsoft will be “in the market” 12 months after the initial beta period. “We’ve made the point about having a developer conference later this year,” said Lewin. “Then typically we enter a beta phase, and then in 12 months we’re in the market, so let’s make that assumption.”

Microsoft VP hints at Windows 8 release date | WinRumors Explorer 9 bumped to version 9.0.1 following security updates

Everything about Windows 8 in Just 3 Months

In less than three months, Microsoft will dish out everything about Windows 8, or at least this is the promise from a tweet on the BUILD Windows Twitter account (@bldwin).
The evolution of the Professional Developers Conference was announced earlier this month, and the BUILD site has been live since the company’s Windows 8 announcements at D9 and Computex, as well as has the Twitter account for the event.

Microsoft: Everything about Windows 8 in Just 3 Months - Softpedia

Windows 8 nears beta stage, betta fish bootscreen leaks from build 7989

Fresh screenshots from a Milestone 3 copy of Windows 8 leaked to the Internet on Friday.
The screenshots reveal the return of Microsoft’s betta fish in Windows 8. The software giant originally used the Siamese fighting fish back in the Windows 7 beta as a wallpaper. The fish turned into a mascot for Microsoft’s beta stages of Windows 7 and hints that the company is close to the beta phase for Windows 8. Screenshots of a new wallpaper also emerged along with rumors from the BetaArchive site that the 7989 build will leak fully to the usual FTP and file sharing sites. 7989.winmain.110421-1825 was built in April and demonstrates the company’s Milestone 3 phase of Windows 8.

Windows 8 nears beta stage, betta fish bootscreen leaks from build 7989 | WinRumors

Microsoft VP Hints At Windows 8 Release In Fall 2012

Microsoft generally keep pretty tight lipped on the release date for their new operating systems. They generally don’t like anyone to know too much about their new projects understandably, so I was quite surprised when they showed off a preview of it early this year at the AllThings D event.
While they did show off that preview to us, they kept quite on any details regarding the release date. However recent hints from the corporate vice president for Strategic and Emerging Business Development Dani Lewin pretty much confirms that Microsoft are planning to bring out Windows 8 in Fall 2012.

Microsoft VP Hints At Windows 8 Release In Fall 2012 | Windows 8 News

Microsoft’s new Windows Phone-like keyboard [video]

Microsoft is currently building a new touch friendly keyboard into Windows 8.
The latest leaked build, 7989, contains an improved version of the keyboard which Microsoft has demonstrated recently. The keyboard includes touch friendly buttons and a new split keyboard option. Microsoft has also built emoticon support directly into the keyboard user interface and feedback sounds similar to Windows Phone. For a full demo of the keyboard, check out the video below.

Windows 8: Microsoft’s new Windows Phone-like keyboard [video] | WinRumors

Windows 8 Build 7989 Leaks

There’s been another leaked build of Windows 8, this time build 7989. The build has a full title of 7989.winmain.110421-1285.615974c7346f7374 and was first reported as being available in the private forums of a beta website. Now though many are saying it’s available elsewhere on the net too.
There have been several major leaks of Windows 8 builds in the last couple of months, however there’s no real information on how old these builds are. Either way this is bound to drive excitement about the product despite the fact that many of the features within this build might either change radically, be replaced by something else or dropped from the final product completely.

Windows 8 Build 7989 Leaks | Windows 8 News

Leaked Windows 8 Build 7989 Hints at Hyper-V 3.0 Features

On its way to the M3 milestone, the final step before moving into beta, Microsoft's Windows client has just got a new build leaked and made available for download via various sites.
BetaArchive, which broke the news on the availability of this new leaked build, also made available a series of screenshots to provide a glimpse at the latest changes Microsoft operated with it.
The said leak, Windows 8 build 7989.winmain.110421-1285.615974c7346f7374, has some nice surprises in store for us, including better Hyper-V 3.0 support, hints to an app store, possible support for SMS, and a new soft keyboard.

Leaked Windows 8 Build 7989 Hints at Hyper-V 3.0 Features - Softpedia

Under the Windows 8 hood: Questions and answers from the trenches

Microsoft officials are remaining adamant that they plan to stay mum about the details regarding the Windows 8 developer story until mid-September, when the company holds its Build conference. But that doesn’t mean that developers who are curious, if not outright anxious, about the future of .Net and Silverlight are sittling idly by waiting for all to be revealed.
Several devs have weighed in over the past couple of weeks with their best guesses as to what Microsoft is crafting on the development-framework side of the Windows 8 house. Meanwhile, I’ve been interviewing some of those taking apart Microsoft Windows 8 Milestone 3 (M3) internal builds that have leaked in the hopes of piecing what developers should expect when porting and writing apps for Windows 8, which is expected to come to market in 2012.

Under the Windows 8 hood: Questions and answers from the trenches | ZDNet

Microsoft's Windows 8 client to include a hypervisor for virtualization

A year ago, when I blogged about possible plans by Microsoft to include a hypervisor in its Windows 8 client — and not just the server — I was told a lot of things. I heard it was impossible, that I was off-base, that it was nothing but a pipe dream.
Cut to June 20, 2011 — a few days after a new Windows 8 Milestone 3 (M3) build, No. 7989, leaked to the Web. While dissecting the latest bits, WindowsNow.com blogger Robert McLaws discovered that there is, indeed, a Hyper-V 3.0 in the Windows 8 client code base.

Microsoft's Windows 8 client to include a hypervisor for virtualization | ZDNet