X

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
Rafe Needleman reviews mobile apps and products for fun, and picks startups apart when he gets bored. He has evaluated thousands of new companies, most of which have since gone out of business.
Rafe Needleman
D50Th_0024.jpg
1 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

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.
D50Th_0027.jpg
2 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

Julie Lawson-Green sets up her Windows 8 demo

Using special test rigs, Julie Lawson-Green prepares to show off Windows 8 on tablets.
D50Th_0028.jpg
3 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

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.
D50Th_0030.jpg
4 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

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.
D50Th_0032.jpg
5 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

A Windows 8 sample app: Weather

Microsoft brought several sample apps to show off Windows 8. This is the weather app.
D50Th_0033.jpg
6 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

The stock market app

The colors are very old-Apple-esque, are they not?
D50Th_0036.jpg
7 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

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.
D50Th_0038.jpg
8 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

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.
D50Th_0039.jpg
9 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

Multitasking on a tablet

Windows 8 lets users slide running apps to run side-by-side.
D50Th_0040.jpg
10 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

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.
D50Th_0048.jpg
11 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

Twitter app

Another sample app: Microsoft's Tweet-o-rama.
D50Th_0052.jpg
12 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

Photo Feedr

This sample app for viewing photos looks much like Windows 8's tablet file browser app.
D50Th_0060.jpg
13 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

Runs on notebooks

Kara Swisher checks out Windows 8 running on notebook and convertible computers from Lenovo and Dell.
DSC_9455.JPG
14 of 14 Rafe Needleman/CNET

Wrap-up

Mossberg, Larson-Green, and Sinofsky discuss the new operating system.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos