Windows 8 NEW General FEATURES

Here is the list of new features coming up in Windows 8 which I found based on various sources in internet.














General Features

1. New Tile based start screen
2. Touch keyboard
3. Windows 8 App Store feature
4. Apps can work together
5. Metro style
6. Picture password
7. New Task Manager
8. New easy restore
9. USB 3.0
10. Support for fewer Restarts

New Tile based start screen

A Tile is a program shortcut which displayed in home screen of Windows 8. And it is a small, rectangular program interface similar to the Icons. Tile is "Live" and "Interactive". Especially programs are able to display information on the Tile like notifications; current status etc. by using this you can get details and notifications from a program even when it is closed (not running). Users can click on the tile and perform some operations without opening the application. 

As an example Tile for your mail account can show the number of new emails. A stock ticker Tile can display the current trading value of few stocks.

Microsoft is bringing significant changes to icon concept with tile. The classic start menu is being replaced with a Tile based start screen.

Have used Windows Phone 7 will be familiar with the Tiles. Windows 8 borrows tile from the Windows 7 Phone UI. And Tile is touching friendly.

Touch keyboard

Windows 8 provides two touch keyboards for users for mobility and flexibility which is full size touch, Because of this it easy to use your computer on the go. It’s more comfortable and natural to type using your thumbs when the keyboard is split Whether you’re walking around or sitting down.

Windows 8 App Store feature

Microsoft introduction a Windows Store on Windows 8, like Ubuntu Software Center, and Mac App Store, that allows developers to publish their Metro-style applications on Windows 8 devices. 

If you signing up with windows Store, which means you can sell your app through Windows Store and you can tap into the broad customer reach of Windows around the world. 

Apps can work together

If you want to send some pictures in email, in different places like facebook, flicker you can easily pick and send the ones you want. Likewise apps can communicate with each other in windows 8.

Metro style

Microsoft has extensively redesigned "Metro-style" user interface, optimized for touchscreens as well as mice and keyboards for Windows 8.

Picture password

Instead of typing a password in login for the screen, a new authentication method allows users to use a set of gestures in the selected picture to login.

New Task Manager

A new Task Manager replaces with new Windows Task Manager (though the old version is also included).

New easy restore

Windows 8 comes with two new recovery functions. Which are named as Refresh and Reset, and both make a complete restore easier than a re-installation. 

USB 3.0

New USB 3.0 ports operate at speeds up to ten times faster than USB 2.0. To better support these speeds and longer battery life. Microsoft is outfitting Windows 8 with native USB 3.0 drivers.( windows 8 will have built-in support)

Support for Multiple Monitors

Windows 8 will include support for multiple monitors; The Developers Preview of the new OS includes first-time capabilities for extending the taskbar across two PCs, without any need for third-party apps. And it is easy to switch between multiple monitors.

 Support for fewer Restarts

In Windows 7 it gave users for number of options to update notifications and installation. Users could elect to have updates installed automatically or option for notification when an update was available and users have to choose to be notified only before the installation.

But in Windows 8, Most of those options will remain. Users will only be asked to restart their PCs so that an update can take effect once per month-on patch Tuesday. That's usually the second Tuesday of each month. There's one exception--critical security patches will trigger an update request immediately.