Windows 8 third and Final Beta is out, it is touted “Windows 8 Release Preview”. Even if you have tried the 2 previous versions, consider playing with this last version. It has improved even more from the last 2 versions so you will enjoy using this Windows 8 operating system even more. It is said that Windows 8 will come with 2 different versions. One will be called the Windows 8 Run Time (RT) which is made for tablets or any device that has a mobile device ARM CPU. The other type will be the typical desktop version that has more capabilities and features. Lets take a look at what improvements are in this final build.

 

Improved look



Instead of a dull background and icons with dead colors, the latest version comes with Metro titles that will change content so that it looks more interactive then dead titles. More content is included such as the Travel, News and Sports will deliver more information to you.

 

Shocking boot up speed

 

It takes around 10 secs to go to sleep and wake up from it, such a speed is comparable with light weight operating systems like Chrome and Jolicloud. Great for laptops and mobile devices.  Users who tested the past beta versions will realize that when you do a shut down in Windows 8, it is actually a hibernate mode.  One tell tale sign is that the num lock in my keyboard is still on despite that the machine is totally off.

 

Integration with Xbox



Since Xbox is a product of Microsoft and a lot of games are avaliable in the PC version. Allowing data to be sync across both platforms is a good idea. In fact, with the Windows Phone 7 devices has the Xbox Live app integrated as well. Gaming will not be limited to a single console or have you glued to the seat anymore.

 

But the major characteristics of the Smart Glass technology integration allows you to make use of your phone to control your Xbox with regards to the information you intend to share such as your gaming achievements. You can also launch a game or play a movie all from the Windows 8 OS.

 

Xbox Live app also allows you to browse the games you have in your Xbox and view all your achievements.

 

Touch Screen interface

 

Perhaps Windows 8 has decided to win over the market with touch screen laptops. This is going to be a first of its class even though touch screen devices are not something special. Windows 8 is going to include a special menu at the right side of the screen called the “bezel”. This new feature will be the replacement to the “Start Menu”.

 

Tap your finger on the right side and swipe in wards to bring in the “bezel”. It will reveal some shortcuts which Microsoft called them “Charms”. This bezel can be opened even if you are in an app itself. You can choose one of few icons , Search, Share, Start and Settings to help speed up the navigational experience in the new operating system.

 

My Verdict

 

Windows 8 is not that worthy to be installed and used as the core operating system yet, I have stated the reasons below.

 

Windows 8 has made a good attempt to incooperate HTML 5 videos in its Internet Explorer. I have tested it in Youtube and it is quite awesome. Unfortunately, a lot of sites are not HTML 5 ready and therefore it is still a long way from not having to depend on Flash.

 

While it is true that a lot of laptops that do not have touch screens will find using Windows 8 not as exciting. I believe that the market will be producing more USB touch screen conversion panels that come in the form of a flim with a USB jack. So touch screen operating system will eventually be the norm in future.

 

Windows 8 is a totally new operating system and thus a lot of programs and drivers do not work perfectly. In fact, a lot of programs or installers require me to install in compatibility mode or it won’t work.

 

Still, I encourage people out there to give Windows 8 Final Beta a try and mess with it. The approach taken by Microsoft is good by having the mobile and desktop operating systems running operating systems with identical “characteristics”. This helps to combine the phone and computer as one entity. However, Microsoft failed to figure out how to incooperate Flash in their Mobile counterparts without sacrifcing performance and battery juice resulted in their failure to dominate the industry.