Windows 8 Beta for late February 2012

Microsoft on Tuesday confirmed that it will release a public beta of Windows 8 in late February, 2012.

7 Things Ultrabooks Need Next

Ultrabooks have arrived. And yet, for many, 2012 will be the first year they seriously consider buying one. If they're the future of laptops, then they have a long ways to go before they become what people want in the present.

Windows 8 On XP Machines?

Although they're running an OS that was built a decade ago, many PCs that are currently using Windows XP will have sufficient horsepower to handle Windows 8 when it's released, according to a Microsoft official.

Windows 8 System Updates Will Require Monthly Restart Along With Security Updates

Windows 8, the jazzy new OS from Microsoft that will premiere in 2012, is going to look much different from its predecessor.

BlackBerry maker sticks with Adobe Flash for mobiles...For now

Research in Motion will continue to use Adobe Flash Player, at least for the BlackBerry Playbook tablet, even after Adobe announced it will discontinue Flash for the mobile web.

Microsoft's Kinect SDK for Windows Coming in Early 2012

Microsoft said Monday that its Kinect SDK for PCs, which will allow developers to create new uses for the motion-based system beyond gaming, will be available early next year.

Microsoft to Follow Apple's Example for App Store

Metro apps for Windows 8 will be available only through Microsoft's own store, the company said at its BUILD Windows conference last week.

Windows 8 on ARM Won't Run Legacy Windows Apps

Microsoft executives said this week that Windows 8 tablets using an ARM chip will not be able to run legacy Windows 7 applications, with the possible exception of Office.

Echoing Apple, Microsoft bans Flash from Metro IE10 in Windows 8

Microsoft will not support browser plug-ins, including Adobe's Flash, in one of the two versions of Internet Explorer to be bundled with Windows 8, a company executive said today.

Microsoft Talks Evolution of Windows Server 8

The excitement that Microsoft's Server 8 team generated over the upcoming release of the latest iteration of its OS was infectious. Yet, the man leading the Server 8 effort resonates nothing less than calm, cool confidence.

Can Microsoft Make Windows-Based Tablets Work...this time?

Next week sees the BUILD conference kick off, and it is expected that Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows division at Microsoft, will be showing off Windows 8 on a tablet. Many people are wondering if Microsoft’s focus on tablets will pay off. I’m wondering if Microsoft’s focus on tablets will work … this time.

Windows 8 Will Have 'Robust USB 3.0 Support'

Yesterday afternoon Microsoft posted on its Building Windows 8 blog—always a momentous happening—this time announcing native Windows 8 support for the USB 3.0 hardware connection standard.

Microsoft To Reveal Windows 8 Details

Microsoft plans to disclose new details about the architecture and capabilities of its forthcoming Windows 8 operating system in the coming weeks to prepare developers and users for what it calls the most significant overhaul of its OS since it released Windows 95 -- which introduced the Task Bar, Start menu, and other iconic features -- more than 15 years ago. 

Windows 8: Nice for tablets, but what about PCs?

A day after Microsoft showed off an early version of its user interface for Windows 8 — and I’ve actually had a chance to actually see it (via videos and photos) — I’ve got mixed feelings.