Before we launched Windows 7, envision what the next version of Windows should deliver. We bet that the industry and the outlook for the PC experience a significant transformation driven by an increase in mobility. That bet is shown in the changes we made to Windows 8 - is a generational leap forward. Windows 8 to build a world where touch is an interaction model class, like the mouse and keyboard, and where there is a proliferation of diverse and innovative mobile devices are a high rank, always moving and always connected. Windows 8 was built on the premise that the lines between our work and personal life are blurred.
We have just a little more than seven months in this bold new approach to the computation. The answer to Windows 8 has been substantial - from new devices to a strong increase in applications to key improvements to the operating system and applications. We have learned from our customers on how to use the product and have received a lot of comments. We have delivered hundreds of product updates and applications. We have just begun and the potential that lies ahead is tremendous.
Windows 8.1 is a bold step in the Windows 8 vision start to deliver the next generation of PC, tablets and a wide range of devices in the industry, and the experiences that customers - both consumers and the business end - need and expect to advance. Windows 8 is even better. Windows 8.1 not only respond to customer feedback, will also include new features and functionality that will enhance the tactile experience and potential of mobile computing. Windows 8.1 will offer enhancements in key areas such as personalization, search, integrated applications, Windows Store experience and connectivity in the cloud.Windows 8.1 also include big bets for business in areas such as management and security - more on this later during TechEd North America. This time, I'm excited to share a 'first look' to Windows 8.1 and highlight some of the improvements and changes that customers can see.
Personalization :
In Windows 8.1 may do more to personalize the experience to your device. As people started using Windows 8, we found that people use their lock screens to display pictures of their families. So in Windows 8.1 can turn your PC or tablet into a photo frame to turn your lock screen in a slide show - whether they are on the device or that are in the cloud SkyDrive. We also added the ability to take pictures with the integrated camera from the lock screen without entering.
Windows 8.1 offers more colors and backgrounds for Home screen - and even some movement.
You can choose your screen as your Home screen background, to create a greater sense of unity and familiarity. And the Start screen in Windows 8.1 presents a variety of sizes including new mosaic tiles large and small, so you can organize your Home screen as it is as you want it. Now is also much easier to name groups and rearranging tiles. They can choose different applications simultaneously, resize, uninstall or change its location. We also found that people moved accidentally mosaics on your Home screen so Windows 8.1, press and hold (or give right click) to move things.
You can see all the applications only move from the bottom and add the ability to filter your apps by name, install date, most used or by category. You wanted your Home screen out about all the things they love. So when you install a new Windows Store application, and not put on your Home screen. Now, find these applications in view applications as mentioned above and shall be marked as "new" where you can choose which applications you want to pin to your Home screen.
Search:
In Windows 8.1, the search button will provide comprehensive search results powered by Bing in a view rich, readable, integrated content from different sources (web, applications, files, SkyDrive, actions to be taken) to provide the best "answer" to your request. We believe that this will change in truth how you interact with the Web and allow Windows to do things more quickly and easily. It is the modern version of the command line!
Quick Actions include things you want to do and play a song or video. Results of local files, applications and settings that can be accessed easily and conveniently in the same way downward displacement on the left side of the screen.
Applications and Windows Store:
Enhance our integrated applications that come with Windows 8 for Windows 8.1. For example, the Photos application now has new editing features that allow them to edit photos or adjust quickly when they see them on the Photos application or when the points open applications such as Mail, SkyDrive and Camera. And our Music application has been completely redesigned to help them select and play music from your collection. We plan to comment more on updates to applications built on Windows 8.1 and some new applications that will show in future publications.
We have also made improvements to use multiple applications simultaneously in Windows 8.1.
Windows 8.1 offers split-screen view sizes and continuous variables. They will have more ways to view multiple applications on the screen at the same time. You can change the size of the applications to the size you choose, screen sharing between two applications, or have up to three applications on each screen if they have multiple monitors connected, may have different Windows Store applications running on all monitors at once Home screen and can be kept open on a monitor. This makes multi-task even easier. Also in Windows 8.1 can have multiple windows of the same application at the same time fixed - for example, two Internet Explorer windows.
The improved Windows Store in Windows 8.1 is designed to display more information than before with detailed lists of the best free apps, new releases and suggestions for you on the main screen. The list of applications is far more descriptive and informative and includes an area for applications related to assist in the application discovery. The categories are listed with other commands as links to applications and information applications for your account. The application updates are installed automatically in the background and come from the Store. And the search is available on the top right to find applications they want.
Connectivity in the Cloud:
In Windows 8.1 your files can be stored directly to SkyDrive so you always have your files with you.
The new SkyDrive application gives you access to your files on your device or in the cloud and available files even when disconnected.
Also, when entering your Windows 8.1 device with its own Microsoft (Outlook.com default), your device, so magical, you customize your settings and applications, making it easy to change or configure a new device.
PC Settings:
The update settings in Windows 8.1 PC gives them access to all your settings on your device without having to go to the Control Panel in the Desktop. They can do things like change the screen resolution, adjust power options, view details and model of the PC, change the product key to activate Windows Update, and even join a domain - everything from PC Settings. They can even manage SkyDrive from PC Settings and see the storage capacity they have available (and buy more if needed).
Internet Explorer:
The web browsing remains one of the most popular activities on any device. That's why Windows Internet Explorer 8.1 will get 11 (IE11). IE11 is built with IE10 improvements and is the only browser that is built for touch. IE11 will offer better performance touch, page load times faster and many other new features that we enjoy. For example, you can now adjust the appearance of the modern IE11 forever show the address bar and can have many tabs open like. And you can access your open tabs on your other Windows 8.1 devices synchronized.
Best keyboard and mouse options
The PC evolve to a world of mobile computing where people interact with their devices through touch, and designed Windows 8 for this. To also recognize that there are many non-touch devices today - especially in the commercial area. Because of this, we have focused on a number of improvements to ensure that people who use mouse and keyboard to navigate more easily.
We have improved the way you navigate to Start with the mouse to change 'marker' Home by the familiar Windows logo. The new marker appears whenever you move the mouse to the bottom left corner of the screen and is always visible in the taskbar when they are on the desktop. There are also options to change what they do corners and options to boot into alternating screens. For example, if you prefer the view of applications against all the tiles, you can choose the Home screen directly go to the Applications view.
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These are just some updates coming in Windows 8.1. Post more about these and other changes later. As you have heard of us before, Windows 8.1 will be available later in the year as a free upgrade for customers of Windows 8 from Windows Store as applications get updates today.
As of June 26 with the start-time and Build, our developer conference, you may review these improvements for yourself with a preview of Windows 8.1 to be released. In Build will also share more about Windows Embedded, which will be updated in the same time frame of Windows 8.1. further align the platform to bring Windows form factors of all types, including not only PC tablets and also the growing category of devices such as ATM, terminals Point of Service (POS) and kiosk.
Windows 8 has been a bold and necessary move towards mobility for the PC industry - we have driven ourselves and our industry with a focus towards the tact that redefines the PC as we know, as we offer the best of all worlds between any device at any time. Our commitment to that vision - and always looking to improve - and we kept in the course of the evolution of Windows with Windows 8.1. We have seen and heard, Windows 8.1 will continue to grow based on what you like to include the latest advances in hardware, applications, cloud services and the OS to enable a unique experience in everything that you do.
There's more to come. Thanks for reading.