Microsoft Releases Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Today, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Microsoft announced the release of Windows 8 Consumer Preview. 

The release marks a new step in the evolution of Windows 8, but is still only a preview version of the platform, destined mainly for testing purposes. 

The new platform flavor brings along a variety of changes when compared to the Windows 8 Developer Preview that became available for download in September last year. 

“With Windows 8, we reimagined the different ways people interact with their PC and how to make everything feel like a natural extension of the device, whether using a Windows 8 tablet, laptop or all-in-one,” said Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft.

He also mentions that the new Windows 8 Consumer Preview arrives with a no-compromises approach to using the PC. 

Microsoft is making the Windows 8 Consumer Preview available for download all around the world in English, French, German, Japanese and simplified Chinese languages.

Those users who have downloaded and installed the Developer Preview of the platform on their computers will benefit from a long range of changes in the new release.

In addition to various improvements throughout the platform, there will also be access to the Windows Store, as well as seamless integration with content that users access through their devices, including smartphones powered by the Windows Phone platform. 

Moreover, Microsoft packed the Consumer Preview of Windows 8 with Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5, which has been redesigned to deliver a new experience, specifically crafted for the Windows 8 platform. 

At the MWC show in Barcelona, Microsoft will demo the new platform on various devices that are based on x86 and ARM chipsets. Developers will have access to hardware for trial and testing purposes. 

Key updates in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview include:

• Broad range of product changes and improvements. Since the Developer Preview in September, designed to preview the programming platform, Windows 8 has progressed across every dimension. From completing the user experience for touch, keyboard and mouse to refining the development platform, the Consumer Preview improves performance, quality and reliability across all subsystems. With the added features, it represents a more complete view of the capabilities of Windows 8.
• Windows Store with new apps. The Windows 8 Consumer Preview marks the beta opening of the Windows Store, which is filled with a variety of new Metro style apps from both third-party developers and Microsoft. During the Consumer Preview, these apps are available to try and experience at no cost to users. The Windows Store will offer personalized recommendations, and Windows 8 gives users the ability to take their apps and settings with them across multiple PCs, making it easy to discover and try new apps while offering developers the greatest opportunity of any platform.
• Connecting to the cloud across Windows-based PCs and Windows Phone. The Windows 8 Consumer Preview offers seamless integration with the content people care about across their devices. An optional additional sign-on with a Microsoft account provides access to a host of features, including the ability to roam all settings, use cloud storage, communicate with email, calendar and contacts, and connect to a broad range of services. Your connection to the cloud works across your Windows-based PCs and your Windows Phones.
• Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5. The best way to experience the Web on Windows is with Internet Explorer 10. The browser has been re-imagined to create a new experience designed specifically for Windows 8 devices. It provides an edge-to-edge user interface that is all about less browser and more Web. Fast and fluid, Internet Explorer is hardware-accelerated to enable Web performance.

Download Windows 8 Consumer Preview

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