Business & Tech

Microsoft Provides First Glimpse of Windows 8

The new software was part of a demo today at the D9 conference.

 has offered a first glimpse of its Windows 8 software, the Redmond-based company announced Wednesday in a news release.

The new software is largely devoted to touch-screen devices, with a tile-based start screen instead of the traditional Windows start menu. But the company says it is just as compatible with a mouse and keyboard.

"Our approach means no compromises — you get to use whatever kind of device you prefer, with peripherals you choose, to run the apps you love," Julie Larson-Green, corporate vice president of Windows Experience, said in the release. "This is sure to inspire a new generation of hardware and software development, improving the experience for PC users around the world."

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Other features that were highlighted by Microsoft include convenient app resizing ability and "live tiles" that show instant updates from all of a user's apps.

Windows 8 is still not expected to be released until next year, GeekWire reports. Check out the YouTube video for Microsoft's video introduction to the new software.

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