Microsoft’s Steven Sinofsky has just announced at its annual sales meeting that customers will be able to get Windows 8 on 26 October, 2012. This will be available both as an upgrade or on a new PC.
Wonder if the Surface will be available at the same date?
Microsoft has announced that the Windows 8 Release Preview is now available for download in 14 languages.
Those who purchase eligible Windows 7-based PCs from 2 June can upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for S$17.99 later on.
Windows 8 Release Preview is available for download now.
Windows 8 is entering the final stages of development and is on the road to general availability.
The Release Preview is available for download here, where you can also view a video of Windows 8 in action.
Notable improvements throughout the platform includes:
- Improvements to Mail, Photos and People apps since Consumer Preview.
- Increased personalization options for the Start screen.
- Improved multi-monitor support.
- Refinements to the way people find and download apps through the Windows Store.
- New Family Safety features and enriched privacy and security controls when browsing online, including Do Not Track capabilities being turned on by default with Internet Explorer 10.
- Enriched support for touch with Internet Explorer 10, including a new capability with Release Preview called “flip ahead” that allows users the option to flip between pages with the swipe of a finger, as well as a touch-friendly Adobe Flash Player now fully integrated into IE10.
- New Bing apps, including those for Travel, News and Sports
For those planning to purchase new computers that currently come with Windows 7, Microsoft is rolling out the Windows Upgrade Offer program in 131 markets.
Windows 8 promises a fast and fluid experience, along with a new user interface that responds equally well to touch as it does to keyboard and mouse.
The February release of Windows 8 Consumer Preview was downloaded more than 1 million times in the first 24 hours.
With today’s release, it enters its final phase of development before it releases to manufacturing.
From June 2, 2012 to January 31, 2013, those who buy eligible PCs with Windows 7 can purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of S$17.99 (including GST).
Other offers will be announced later to help those with existing Windows 7-based PCs upgrade to Windows 8.
For more details about the Release Preview, check out this inside look from the Windows engineering team.
