Windows 8 NUI Features May Not Work with Older Drivers

Windows 8 Developer Preview Build 8102 Milestone 3 (M3) has been available for download for over two weeks now, and although the release is still in pre-Beta stage, early adopters can access it without restrictions. 

At BUILD, Microsoft also offered attendees over 5,000 Windows 8 test devices, to test the OS on next generation hardware. 

The Samsung Windows Developer Preview PC might be the only way for early adopters to see just what Windows 8 has to offer NUI-wise. 

The next major iteration of Windows is tailored to natural user interface devices, letting users leverage multitouch like no other copy of the operating system in history. 

However, it seems that using Windows 8 Build 8102 M3 with existing hardware, be it NUI-capable, might not deliver the same user experience as the Samsung Widows Developer PC. 

According to Microsoft, customers might encounter some issues, especially when attempting to use Windows 8 NUI features. 

“Multitouch features (such as stretch, pinch, or rotate) may not work properly with certain older non-Microsoft drivers,” the software giant said. 

The note provided by the Redmond company also contains the explanation for any eventual problems that testers come across. Existing hardware doesn’t come with the drivers necessary to use all of Windows 8’s NUI features. 

Of course, it’s essentially up to OEMs and to Microsoft to make sure that Windows 8 also shines on older form factors, but this might take a while. 

“There is no workaround at this time,” the software giant informs. This of course means that customers will need to suffer through any potential Windows 8 NUI problems until new drivers are offered by either Microsoft or its OEM partners. 

Those users that played with Windows 7 on NUI capable hardware and that have had the chance of testing the Samsung Windows 8 Developer Preview PC know that the two platforms are in different leagues altogether when it comes to letting users leverage touch for interaction. 

Windows 8 Developer Preview Build 8102 Milestone 3 (M3) is available for download here.

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