{"id":3745,"date":"2012-03-01T20:56:20","date_gmt":"2012-03-01T09:56:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mingersoft.com\/blog\/?p=3745"},"modified":"2012-03-01T20:57:34","modified_gmt":"2012-03-01T09:57:34","slug":"windows-8-comsumer-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mingersoft.com\/blog\/2012\/03\/windows-8-comsumer-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Windows 8 Comsumer Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

Well, the Windows 8 Consumer Preview is upon us and every nerd and their\u00a0Aibo<\/a> (robot dog, get it) has been trying it out and sharing their thoughts with the world. Of course, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity being one to try things as soon as they become available so I thought I’d share my setup\u00a0experience\u00a0and some shots of notable apps.<\/p>\n

For the\u00a0exercise, I used Oracle VM VirtualBox and used the instructions I wrote up for creating a new virtual machine for Windows 8<\/a>. If you also need a hand kicking off the installation you can read this article<\/a>\u00a0within the context of the Consumer Preview (not the Developer Preview).<\/p>\n

So, there are some changes in the setup screens which I’ll quickly run throw here:<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

Windows Install - Step 01 (Personalise)<\/p><\/div>\n

First up the personalisation screen gets an update allowing you to select from one of nine colours for the background colour. Changes are immediately reflected upon making a selection to give you an idea of how it will look.<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

Windows Install - Step 02 (Settings)<\/p><\/div>\n

The first screen for settings has remained pretty much the same apart from text spacing. From this point, I chose to customise the settings so you’ll see those screens next which have changed a bit from the Developer Preview.<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

Windows Install - Step 2.1 (Updates and SmartScreen)<\/p><\/div>\n

This screen didn’t appear in the Developer Preview as it does now in the Consumer preview.<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

Windows Install - Step 2.2 (Windows Experience Feedback)<\/p><\/div>\n

Nothing new here.<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

Windows Install - Step 2.3 (Solutions and Info Sharing)<\/p><\/div>\n

This screen has changed a bit to cover sharing information and location with apps. From here, we now proceed to setup the sign in credentials for the computer.<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

Windows Install - Step 3 (Sign in to your PC)<\/p><\/div>\n

In contrast to the Developer Preview, you can now login using your Windows Live account instead of having a standard local username and password isolated to a given device. Using a Windows Live account allows you to sync settings across your Windows 8 devices and unify access to content in SkyDrive, Zune, Windows Store and Xbox Live. This tight integration will give Apple and its iTunes and App Stores a run for their money.<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

Windows Install - Step 3.1 (Internet Deprived Account Setup)<\/p><\/div>\n

For whatever reason, I couldn’t connect my Windows Live account to my local account so I had to do it the old school way. However, you can always convert a local account to use a Windows Live account later on.<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

Windows Install - Step 4 (Finalising Setup)<\/p><\/div>\n

Sit and twiddle your thumbs for a little bit…<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

Windows Install - Step 5 (Preparing Windows)<\/p><\/div>\n

… and a little bit more…<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

Windows Install - Step 6 (Windows Start Screen)<\/p><\/div>\n

Finally, we’re at the Windows Start screen!<\/p>\n

Using a keyboard and mouse is simple enough through use of the arrow keys, page up \/ page down or the scroll wheel on the mouse. To open an app, just hit Enter once selected or left click on it.<\/p>\n

Now, the Start screen does look a little bland but will start coming to life once you have attached your Windows Live account to your login and link up some other accounts.<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

Windows Start Screen (Live Tiles)<\/p><\/div>\n

As you can see, the calendar, mail and weather tiles have now updated as well as the Windows Store tile. This allows you to see at a glance what is going on without having to hop in and out of apps all the time.<\/p>\n

Anyway, here’s a look at some of the major apps that come with Windows 8.<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

Windows Store<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Weather\"<\/a>

Weather<\/p><\/div>\n

\"SkyDrive\"<\/a>

SkyDrive<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Photos<\/a>

Photos Hub<\/p><\/div>\n

\"People<\/a>

People Hub<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Mail<\/a>

Mail Hub<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Internet<\/a>

Internet Explorer (Metro Version)<\/p><\/div>\n

Finally, the traditional Windows desktop still lurks in the background for those that are curious.<\/p>\n

\"Windows<\/a>

Windows Desktop<\/p><\/div>\n

Plus, there is a desktop version of Internet Explorer 10 available if you require it.<\/p>\n

\"Internet<\/a>

Internet Explorer 10 (Desktop Version)<\/p><\/div>\n

I reckon this is shaping up to be a quality tablet OS upon first impressions enough to perhaps sway me from purchasing an Android tablet to replace my iPad. As always, time will tell how things will go but I reckon Apple and its iPad could be in trouble.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Well, the Windows 8 Consumer Preview is upon us and every nerd and their\u00a0Aibo (robot dog, get it) has been trying it out and sharing their thoughts with the world. Of course, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity being one to try things as soon as they become available so I thought I’d share my … <\/p>\n

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