The Windows 8 Consumer Preview is expected sometime in February, and the release date seems to be inching closer as clues about the OS have started popping up on Microsoft’s Bing search engine home page. One of the most conspicuous hints is that of the betta fish in the home page background. A similar wallpaper was used in the default wallpaper for Windows 7 Beta when it was released in 2007.
There are other clues too, in the form of scattered links and hot spots across the home page leading to various Windows 8 Consumer Preview pages. However, since the home page is not complete, most of the links do not work. The working links point towards the Building Windows 8 blog and a developer page for Metro apps. Windows 8 Consumer Preview is the beta version to Windows 8, whose alpha called the Developer Preview was released in 2011, and reportedly includes a number of changes Microsoft has made to the OS based on criticism and feedback received from early adopters.
PC users have been the most critical of the OS, and have said that the Metro UI is difficult to use for those who prefer to use a keyboard and mouse. This is in response to Microsoft’s constant reiteration that Windows 8 will work across tablets as well as PCs. PC users are less than impressed, saying that the Metro UI is touch optimized and offers a clunky interface for those using a mouse.
To Microsoft’s credit, it has taken feedback to heart and has maintained steady contact with early adopters and developers through the Building Windows 8 blog. A number of changes from the Developer Preview have already been announced, which include greater flexibility of the Metro interface and changes to Windows Explorer. Microsoft has also stated that the Developer Preview was a very early build of Windows 8 and that the Consumer Preview will be a much improved affair.
The Windows Store is another much awaited feature, and will be released along with the Consumer Preview sometime this month. Microsoft has also unveiled a list of games which will be available in the Store from the outset. The list of games includes mostly unheard of titles, but a surprising inclusion is Angry Birds, which is expected to generate interest in the OS in its early days. As outlined earlier, the Windows Store distributes revenue on a 30:70 basis with developers, which becomes 20:80 if the app manages to generate more than $25,000 in sales. It seems Angry Birds will definitely be the first one to take advantage of that!
