Windows 8 to Focus on Faster Boot Times, Logins
Microsoft is looking to Apple for some inspiration on the user experience.
Windows 7 is the here and now, and we're liking it. If you ask Microsoft about what's next, it'll say that Windows 7 SP1 is will be the next step, it's happening later this year. But what we really want to know about is what the real next step is, and that's Windows 8.
Leaked onto the internet and now spread through many news sites is a presentation deck on Windows 8. Microsoft Kitchen successfully nabbed most of them and are now keeping them online for all to see. The information contained is mostly high-level and conceptual, likely dating back to even before Windows 7's retail release – but it's still very interesting to see what Microsoft's goals and inspirations are for Windows 8.
One that might irk the fanboy base is that Microsoft is taking a page from Apple in how the Mac maker is able to keep its customers so loyal and satisfied.
Another big goal for Windows 8 is instant-on, cutting down on the wait between powering on and the user being able to access the information or functionality that he or she is waiting for. This includes both faster boot times and faster resume from sleep.
One method to speed up boot time is to move from a traditional shutdown state to a logoff + hibernate. Microsoft wants this to feel like a regular shutdown, but it uses hibernation methods to cache most of the core system, such as drivers and system services. Microsoft estimates that this could cut boot times in half.
The login process will be simplified too, especially for those who aren't fond of using passwords to get into Windows. If there is a webcam present, the system will use that in conjunction with facial recognition software to log the user in without a password.
Another new development (which we assume won't be used in conjunction with the facial login) is user accounts being stored in the cloud. This could potentially mean that a user's bookmarks and Windows settings could be stored remotely at Microsoft and could be consistent even on other people's computers. Right now the data demands would be too high to have all user data stored in the cloud, but this could be the first step in Microsoft's desire to make Windows more user-centric and less machine-centric.
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i like facial recognition login, but doubt it's accuracy...
The first slide contains an error. Apple is not known for high quality products but for products that are just as good, sometimes even worse, than their competitors but look more pleasant and have a luxurious image.
The last slide also doesn't appeal to me very much. Big companies are not known to respect my privacy and because of that I don't like the cloud. This service should be optional, not a core part of Windows.
Faster boot times are something I applaud however. But isn't that a bit moot? When Windows 8 releases, SSD's will have picked up full steam and boot times become less of an issue.
"Apple brand is known for high quality, uncomplicated, 'It just works'"
Ummm.... really?
"Apple brand is known for high quality, uncomplicated, 'It just works'"Ummm.... really?
I'm sure if these slides were re-written today they'd say something different
"Apple brand is known for high quality, uncomplicated, 'It just works'"Ummm.... really?
It probably is known for that by the majority - something doesn't need to be true to be widely accepted. For example, we 'know' that the moon exists (pah, blasted conspiracy) and people used to 'know' that the earth was round.
people used to 'know' that the earth was round.
Has that changed? I didn't get the memo...so does this mean my round-the-world ticket needs to be changed? Get an up-to-the-edge-and-back ticket.
Has that changed? I didn't get the memo...so does this mean my round-the-world ticket needs to be changed? Get an up-to-the-edge-and-back ticket.
Technically, it isn't round. In medieval times people believe it was round. Because round means 'shaped like a circle', which means it'd be a flat disk. It's a sphere/globe, remember?
Technically, it isn't round. In medieval times people believe it was round. Because round means 'shaped like a circle', which means it'd be a flat disk. It's a sphere/globe, remember?
Geometry fail or slightly pedantic comment ;-)
I must admit that while reading the slides I got the feeling that these are the things that Service Packs are for or at least could be remedied with Service Packs. I guess Microsoft are really serious with switching to a faster product cycle. I'd say that the unwillingness of it's userbase to drop XP must be a real thorn in MS's side, I guess thats what comes from a long product cycle, people get so used to an OS that they don't want to give it up to easily, well not for the Bloated Vista anyways :-) lol
If MS charged £50 for their new OS every 2-3 years I'd be much more likely to accept a faster product cycle, but something tells me they will still expect people to pay £150-£300 for each release which in my opinion is WAY overpriced for that time frame.
If they keep pre-orders at £50 and the improvement every time is noticable, I'd go for it ever 3 years. encourages a regular formating of the boot drive too!
Also MS should really look to sorting out it's 'Genuine' Validation program, it does my head in, every so often a few updates install and Validation pops up saying major hardware has changed, please validate. I click on the online validation but as my key is registered already (On this PC) It rejects it, meaning I have to call the albeit freephone 0800 activation line. I bought 2 copies of windows 7 and have more activation issues than some of my friends who didn't buy their versions...Not good DRM in my opinion, hastle the paying customer seems to be the way of things these days, not good at all.
^^ amazingly BT are moving to Windows 7, IE8 and Flash Player 10.1 - just made my job a WHOLE lot easier