Microsoft Windows 8 Preview

Microsoft Corp previewed the upcoming version of its new Windows operation system, internally code-named Windows 8 that focuses on optimization for touchscreen hardware, including tablet PCs. The company was introducing the next version of Windows to hardware partners at Computex 2011.

Microsoft is also working to integrate the Internet telephone service Skype into the new operating system after it agreed to buy it for $8.5 billion in cash early last month.

Windows  8 also claim that the new version of the operation system will help partners build devices that take advantage of the new user experience that provide a natural reflection of the device.

While providing a technical preview, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President of Windows Planning, Hardware and PC Ecosystem, Mike Angiulo highlighted on the ability of the new operating system to work across both x86 and ARM-based architectures, including shown to run on a variety of early prototypes.

“Our aim with ‘Windows 8′ is to make the user experience a natural extension of the device, from the time you turn on your PC through how you interact with the applications you know and love.

Apart from the compatibility, the Windows 8 start menu or desktop appearance has been significantly changed to look more like its Windows Phone 7 operating system. The users will log into Windows 8 by just a swipe up from the bottom of the screen, and then applications can be launched from a series of tiled icons like on the latest touch screen phones.

Steven Sinofsky, the president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at the company says won’t spill the beans on when the new Windows is coming but it won’t be as early as this fall. “Right now we’re focusing on getting a release done,”.

Microsoft is planning to reveal more at his developer’s conference in the fall.