Microsoft demos Windows 8 for tablets (photos)

At the D9 conference, Microsoft's Steven Sinofsky and Julie Larson-Green show off the next version of Windows.

Rafe Needleman

June 1, 2011 6:25 p.m. PT

Walt Mossberg interviews Steven Sinofsky

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Walt Mossberg interviews Steven Sinofsky

Steven Sinofsky, president of Windows and Windows Live for Microsoft, talks with D9 conference organizer Walt Mossberg about Windows in general.

Julie Lawson-Green sets up her Windows 8 demo

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Julie Lawson-Green sets up her Windows 8 demo

Using special test rigs, Julie Lawson-Green prepares to show off Windows 8 on tablets.

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The Windows 8 tablet start screen

The image on the start screen can be personalized (this is Lawson-Green's son). You swipe up from the bottom to unlock the device.

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The Windows 8 tablet "desktop"

Like Windows Phone, Windows 8 on tablets (and every other platform for that matter) has a screen of "Live Tiles" that provide rich data and launch deeper apps. Users can slide the tiles around on the screen.

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A Windows 8 sample app: Weather

Microsoft brought several sample apps to show off Windows 8. This is the weather app.

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The stock market app

The colors are very old-Apple-esque, are they not?

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The Windows 8 'task bar'

On a tablet device, the "task bar" for users is on the right side of the screen. It slides out as needed.

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The task bar, close up

The Windows 8 task bar performs system functions, like connecting to networks. It's also where the good old Windows Start menu lives.

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Multitasking on a tablet

Windows 8 lets users slide running apps to run side-by-side.

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Split keyboard

In addition to the standard on-screen keyboard that takes up the bottom of a tablet computer, users can also switch to a split keyboard, which is easier for thumb-typers to use.