Microsoft has showed off the next version of its Windows operating system (OS), internally code-named “Windows 8,” to its hardware partners during the 2011 COMPUTEX expo currently underway in Taipei, Taiwan. The Redmond-based company did so to assist its hardware partners to build devices that take advantage of the new user experience.

 

As part of this technical preview, Mike Angiulo, corporate vice president of Windows Planning, Hardware and PC Ecosystem at Microsoft, demonstrated how “Windows 8” (video demo posted below) is optimised for newer touch-centric hardware, the likes of tablet PCs.

 

The technical demonstration also highlighted the new operating system’s ability to work across both x86 and ARM-based architectures, with a variety of early prototypes shown running the new OS. Microsoft, along with chip makers AMD, Intel, Nvidia, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments initially announced plans in January to work together on the next version of Windows.

 

The new user experience also extends to how applications will run on “Windows 8,” with controls naturally fitting into the device experience. Developers will also be able to use common web technologies, including HTML5 and JavaScript, to create applications for the PC, further easing integration and adoption.

 

In order to assist developers in building applications for the new OS, Microsoft formally opened registration for its new developer conference, BUILD, which will be taking place between 13 and 16 September 2011, in Anaheim, California.

“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,” Angiulo said.

 

“This represents a fundamental shift in Windows design that we haven’t attempted since the days of Windows 95, presenting huge opportunities for our hardware partners to innovate with new PC designs.”