windows 8

Now that Windows 8 is official, Microsoft is still going forward with the redesign and reimaging. Such is the case when you go to Windows.com or even their Blogs.Windows.com sites as both are showing a high-contrast look with the new logo.

We have to admit that we really like this new look. It’s bold, striking and of course it keeps in line with Microsoft’s Modern UI approach. Will it sell PCs? Not necessarily but Microsoft’s new look and image are key factors for consumers and we think they nailed it.

To kick off the Surface advertising, Microsoft did an impressive advert which aired during a TV program called Dancing with the stars.

Featuring young folk jumping, twisting and larking about with their Surface tablets, not an easy feat to pull off as the following video goes on to show..

With the operating system juggernaut called Windows 8 looming closer by the day it seems everyone is talking about Windows. Is the conversation going to include Windows Phone more frequently too now?

Samsung’s UK vice president has dropped a few encouraging words about where the company sees opportunity in the business sector for an end-to-end solution for tablets and smartphones based on Windows 8.

Oh, looking very abstract indeed.

No, it's not an upcoming movie. A new article has been published on the Windows Experience Blog, which details something special that Microsoft has planned for New York. With the imminent release of both Windows 8 and Window Phone 8, as well as Xbox, Office and other product goodness, the company is going social. Literally.

Windows 8, the much anticipated PC OS, was just launched in China a few hours ago, although many are still waiting for October 26 - the fateful day. As we understand, the global launch of Windows 8 will be marked by not one single event, but a whole series of them. The launch will start in China (October 23rd 10:00am local time), and end with the US party on October 26.

It’s been two-years since Windows Phone has been on the scene and if there is one app we’re really yearning for (not looking at you, Instagram), it’s Hulu. The app has been available on Xbox 360 for sometime and we use it daily, so it’s with great joy we see it’s now available for Windows 8.

The RT app will run on Surface tablets and of course Pro devices. It’s very metro influenced and the Hulu team even tossed together a demo video of the service (it’s still not available yet in our Windows 8 Store). The app will come pre-loaded on Acer and Sony Windows 8 devices although anyone with Win 8 can just go and downloaded it to the store. Combined with the recently released Netflix app (also gorgeous) and Windows 8 will have some great media services out the gate.

But what we’re really wondering is of course when will the Windows Phone 8 app land? Hulu now has two of the three systems in place, so is it too much to expect them to release a phone version on October 29th? We sure hope not because boy will that be an odd omission. [Note: Embedded video is on Hulu, so you probably can't view it mobile]

Source: Hulu Blog; Thanks, Alan A., for the tip

It’s always nice to hear chairman and former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates share his thoughts on the company’s new strategy. And although he has left day-to-day operations of the company to Ballmer, there’s little doubt that he still has regular input on strategy, design and direction.

The video interview, conducted by Steve Clayton, shows Gates talking about how Windows 8 changes things for the company (he even calls it “Windows 8 Phone”, so yes, it’s a common mistake).

Nothing shocking is revealed but it’s still fun to watch the man talk about Microsoft and this bold, new direction in which they are heading.

Source: YouTube

Looks like the first confirmed sighting of the Graffiti art Surface ads have been spotted, this time in Munich.

While we have seen them in the US and France this remains one of the first to be spotted in another country. With Windows 8 and Surface about to be unleashed could we be about to see them go out to all countries where Surface has been made available for pre-order?

Even though some variants of Surface have already sold out in the UK, we haven’t seen any ads at all. If you have seen ads in your country (apart from the US and France) please tell us!

Source: @phitsch via @MS_SurfaceEvang

Yes folks it’s finally here, the week that will see Microsoft launch Windows 8, spearheading its massive 2012 product launch schedule. It’s keystone of the ‘Three Screens & Cloud’ play and this is where we see how it’s all going to shake out.

The pre-orders for Surface have started and even run dry in some regions, invites to the various launch events have gone out and now it’s time to put all the cards on the table. With such a wide ranging spruce-up of the entire product line from Xbox to Windows Phone, we’re in for a wild ride. Windows 8 will be at the centre of these launches, not just because it’s Windows but because with it we will see a whole host of services light up to enable the entire eco system.