Most of the items on the list are already included in Win8, if you go by the leaks.
Fast startup: Depends on Hardware, settings and software installed on a PC.
Faster and more advanced backup: Already in the card as per leaks.
Kinect support: MS is already writing a driver. Why need it in the OS itself? If you buy a Kinect device, you will get the driver, simple.
A new user interface ('Aero 2.0'): As per leaks, Metro Tiles, Immersion.
A new, 'basic' user interface for low powered PCs: Already in the card, software accelerated.
In-built PDF reader: Already in the card as per leaks.
Application store: Already in the card, BTW, Internet is the App store for Windows.
Tablet/slate support: That?s why Metro UI is for.
Extensive driver support: Already there with Win7, its an ongoing process.
64-bit only support: If you have a 64 machine, install 64 bit windows, what?s your problem if I get to install 32 bit?
Fingerprint and facial recognition security: technology needs to mature first.
In-built Office features like Word/PowerPoint Viewers: Office Web??
'Push reset': quick wipe-and-reinstall functionality: Already in the card as per leaks.
There is an odd air of mystery around the next-generation operating system from Microsoft. Windows 8 was dubbed by Steve Ballmer, CEO, as the “riskiest product bet” to date.
Simply put, it will be if it turns up in the stores and we don’t want or need half of the features in there.
But unlike with previous releases like ‘Longhorn’ (Vista) and Windows 7, there has been only the tinest of trickles of reliable information and news out of Redmond. At this stage, we know of only a few features, like an in-built PDF reader and roaming user profiles; though only suggested by an ominous looking icon in the taskbar.
I suggested last month one of the reasons this may be the case, with mysterious wallpapers on internal Windows 8 machines, suggests that screenshots could be traced back to the employee or vendor who leaks them.
With a lack of screenshots or leaks comes a lack of knowledge, understanding and features in the upcoming operating system. Instead of asking why the leaks are thin and slow — Mary Jo Foley covered that already, it would be interesting to see what people want and need in their next-generation Windows.
So, to test the field and gain a sense of who wants what and why, with you as the litmus paper, it will be interesting to see what part-enterprise and part-consumer who have a foot in both camps want to see in the next version of Windows.
I am yet to find a killer ’academic’ feature for the upcoming release, as logistically a new user interface will not help the learning process. Kinect support may, but it’s looking likely that the cloud will hold the answers. That is, if the Patriot Act doesn’t get in the way.
