Windows 8 Consumer Preview Unveiled at Mobile World Congress

Dave Courbanou

March 1, 2012

2 Min Read
Channel Futures logo in a gray background | Channel Futures

Remember the hype over the invitation to Microsoft’s Windows 8 Consumer Preview? Microsoft has finally unleashed the beast at Mobile World Congress 2012. But what’s so different from this preview vs. the Windows 8 developer preview in September 2011? Read on for all the details you need to know …

The Building Windows 8 blog, naturally, has detailed all the ins and outs of the new consumer preview, encouraging inquiring minds to download and test it out. And there’s good reason to — Microsoft took all the feedback from the developer preview to heart and make “over 100,000 code changes” to optimize the Windows 8 experience, according to the blog.

While Microsoft focused on tools and APIs with the developer preview, the consumer preview has been designed to give the world a closer look at a finalized Windows 8. But don’t be fooled: The Building Windows 8 blogs stresses Microsoft is far from done building. Still, the following new features provide a clearer picture of the finished product:

  • Systemwide touch interaction refinements

  • Improved system reliability with an overhaul on the Windows kernel, tweaking everything from the networking stack to the file system

  • Windows Store App Preview, with select third-party applications

  • Enhanced Internet Explorer 10 Preview with improved rendering engine

  • Cloud integration with Mail, Calendar, People, Messaging, Photos and SkyDrive Metro Apps

  • Cloud syncing and integration with Windows Phone 7

Unlike the developer preview, I’m much more inclined to download this version of Windows 8. And since I’m already taking the beta of OS X Mountain Lion for a test drive, why shouldn’t I give Microsoft’s beta a spin, too? Stay tuned for a look-and-feel review on Windows 8, coming soon.

 

Read more about:

AgentsMSPsVARs/SIs
Free Newsletters for the Channel
Register for Your Free Newsletter Now

You May Also Like