Windows 8 stops start and starts starting

24 April

So Microsoft announced on Twitter today what is maybe the RTM from Windows 8 or maybe something slightly different. Talking in Japan, they gave an estimate of the first week of June for the "Release Preview." It would fit with previous release dates in the autumn for the mainstay OS.

While this is interesting stuff, and a step closer to the next stage of the revitalised OS, what has been really interesting is the social engineering and science that has gone into some of the new developments. Take the ubiquitous Start button and menu. 8 is dispensing with the age-old format and delivering a Start Page - much in the same line of thinking as the current iteration of Windows Mobile seen in current smartphones.

A sort of current aggregator of content, apps and more in a dynamic, hydraulics system. As technobabble as that may sound, reading behind the science of the new page is truly fascinating - as much for the candid and direct feedback from the Windows 8 dev team.

"But wait - how many versions this time?" I hear you ask; well in another happy development we only have 3 versions to get our heads round: Windows 8 (no name), Windows 8 Pro for the "tech enthusiast" and "business professional" and Windows 8 Enterprise for the eponymous organisations. Nice and simple!