Microsoft (MSFT) Windows 8 to be Available from October 26th

PC users, here’s one good news for you all. Steven Sinofsky has announced that Microsoft’s (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows 8 will start retailing from Friday 26th October which means that you can grab Redmond company’s newest operating system from this date. This announcement was made at Microsoft’s annual sales meeting and the same news was also shared on the Windows Team Blog.

Whenever there’s the release of a new version of Windows, there’s always a buzz spread about the OS but this time, there’s more. Windows 8 marks the beginning of a new Metro user interface that we have never seen before. If you’ve used Windows Phone, then you must be familiar of this interface but for many, this is an alien territory. The Metro UI has received a mixed response till now but we can say that since this is entirely new for Windows users, it can take some time for people to accept it.

Windows 8 also comes with a brand new Start screen. This Start screen comes with various shortcuts, also called as Live tiles. The Live tiles on the new Metro Start screen helps in getting the information/notification faster.

Microsoft Crop. (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s tablet – Surface which looks like a tablet-ultrabook hybrid also comes with full fledged Windows 8 capabilities and of course comes with familiar Windows 8 Metro UI. Microsoft has still not announced the price or release date of this tablet.

If you’re wondering about the prices, then upgrading from Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 to Windows 8 Pro will cost $39.99. You can also grab the advantage of adding Windows Media Center for free, with this upgrade process. The Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant will guide you throughout the process.

Now that release date of Windows 8 is announced, the focus will shift towards Surface tablets. Microsoft Crop (MSFT) has already announced Surface tablet but for some reason they did not announced release date and availability. The company is ready to enter the tablet market, and only time will tell the success of this new venture.