Microsoft has announced that the 'release preview' of Windows 8 will launch in the first week of June.
Full launch set for second half of 2012
The release preview is the next version of Windows 8 since the consumer preview which was made available in February. The announcement was made at Microsoft's Windows 8 Developer Days conference in Japan. See also: Windows 8: the complete guide.
The firm launched a 'release candidate' for Windows Vista and Windows 7 which were the last releases of the software before full launch. We expect this is the case with the Windows 8 release preview which is cited for its full launch in October. Visit Windows 8 Advisor.
Details of the difference between the consumer and release previews haven't been made known. We expect that the operating system will be improved and more stable after receiving feedback and bug reports from the consumer preview.
We'd like to see elements like easier shutdown, see alternative options for running multiple apps and better keyboard and mouse control.
Microsoft said: "Windows 8 consumer preview usage more than twice Windows 7 beta at the same point in time. Millions of people using everyday."
Comments
Matt Egan said: Actually I typed it as I am typing this on the touchscreen of an iPhone but I totally take your point The thing is i dont think Microsoft is suggesting that Windows 8 should used exclusively via touch But in my testing its been perfectly feasible to use it with either mouse or trackpad In fact with a couple of very obvious changes that take a bit of getting used to its like Windows 7
Marty Smith said: What I meant was is that a mouse is easier to use than the finger pad on a laptopEase of use on Metro1 Touch screen2 Mouse3 trackball4 Mouse pad on laptopBut even still if you are using a touch-screen you will still have to use the keyboard for real life applications like Visual C Word Excel or Paintshop Pro making it just a glorified program launcherAs an Editor Matt you typed this on a keyboard and not with your arms stretched out on a virtual keyboard If you was using a tablet its still not good for editingYou need the speed and mechanical feedback from a keyboard thats why I know it wont work in an Office environmentNot one reviewer has mentioned RSI
Matt Egan said: I dont know what it must worst than a mouse using a laptop pad for Metro means Marty but I must admit Ive had a similar experience to Duncansimons Im not using Windows 8 on my primary PC and it has some minor irritations but I find it is growing on me And I definitely dont work for MicrosoftOn Wed 25 Apr 2012 131314 0000
Marty Smith said: It must worst than a mouse using a laptop pad for MetroYou dont work for MS do you because all the comments on PC-Adviser have not been favourable for Win8