A lot of buzz has been generated lately around Windows 8, due to be released in “a couple of months.” Microsoft has just launched the Windows 8 Release Preview, and the positive and negative critiques have followed. While Windows 7 was a great success, Windows 8 is a whole new breed, Microsoft’s effort to be relevant to the future of tablets, mobile devices and the Cloud.

In Windows 8, the existing operating system is all bundled under what is called Desktop. In addition, there is a new operating system, which is secure, mobile and touch friendly, and has its own app store. The platform for this is called Windows Runtime and the design is called Metro UI. Metro has had a lot of complaints, mainly because it is not as beneficial when run on a desktop or laptop with a keyboard and mouse. Its real benefits are highlighted when used with a touch screen.

Microsoft is definitely making a huge effort to establish itself in the tablet market with Windows 8, but this will be a hard battle when running up against the popular iPad, especially in light of Apple’s latest efforts to make the iPad compatible for business. Similar battles exist with competition with the iPhone and Android.

A plus for Windows 8 is its effort to leverage cloud technologies, which enable the user to have easy access to contacts, social media, etc. IT departments might be concerned about security, but credit should be given to Microsoft for its use of the Cloud, which is not only a move forward but gives customers easy accessibility. As Tim Anderson of The Guardian stated in the publication’s web article (June 6, 2012), Windows 8, if successful, is an operating system that is “beautifully engineered for the next generation of cloud-connected devices.”

Let us know your thoughts, and we will keep you posted on any news up to and on the arrival of Windows 8 and its role in the future of technology.