Microsoft's Windows 8 gets its first official appearance at the D9 Conference, showing off a new UI as well as scalability-- running not only PCs but on, according to Microsoft, "everything".
The most obvious feature is the tile-based UI-- very similar to Windows Phone 7's-- replacing the traditional Start menu. The tiles (set up in a grid layout) can carry dynamic data on the icon itself, showing notifications and the like.
The entire interface appears to be entirely touch-optimised, with task switching involving swiping apps towards the screen's center before "snapping" them to a sidebar.
Running legacy apps (such as Office) slides the new UI away, revealing a far more familiar Windows 7-like layout, complete with Start button and file manager.
Microsoft is pushing for developers to work on HTML5, CSS and Javascript apps (ideal for low power tablets and laptops), which it will sell on its app store.
Internet Explorer also gets an update, with a Silverlight-powered 10th version.
The new OS runs on System on a Chip (SoC) devices-- Taipei's Computex 2011 hosts ARM-powered Windows 8 prototypes by Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and Nvidia.
Microsoft should reveal more later on September, at its BUILD developer event.
Watch Building windows 8
