CNET reported earlier today that Microsoft enthusiast sites have posted what appear to be early details on the next version of Microsoft's flagship operating system. The information suggests that the new operating system will support features such as 3D displays, wireless connection to televisions, etc.
Although CNET has not yet been able to independently confirm the authenticity the information, the key points, such as the use of internal Microsoft jargon, lend weight to their legitimacy.
Among the other features said to be under consideration for Windows 8 is an ambient light feature that would allow the display to automatically adjust to changes in lighting. Microsoft is also said to be considering a new mechanism for resetting a PC to its default state, while keeping a user's files, settings, and applications.
Microsoft Kitchen has posted slides that include a discussion of Apple; plans to focus on slates, laptops, and all-in-ones, as well as a focus on improved energy efficiency. Many of those slides are also dated April 20, 2010.
The slides also suggest the time line of the development, as of their writing. They make reference to feedback that Microsoft still wanted to gather on encrypted hard drives prior to "M1." Microsoft typically refers to internal milestones as M1, M2, etc. So this suggests that the company is still in the planning, rather than testing phase, at least as of the writing of the document. They also make reference to designing Windows 8 with the goal that PC makers will have more opportunities to make their systems unique.
Neowin reported today that Microsoft is planning a Windows Store for Windows 8 according to documents leaked to the Internet on Monday. The application store will allow users to discover and download trustworthy applications and have applications and their settings follow them on Windows 8. "Consumers get applications they want, that they can feel confident in, that they can use on any Windows 8 device" reads one of many slides detailing the new Windows Store.
Consumers will be able to search on the web or locally on a Windows 8 machine to access applications from the store. 'Windows Store' will be a software service Microsoft provides and hosts fully in the cloud. The company will likely build the distribution model on Windows Azure to lure application developers.
Specifications of the purported Windows 8 machine can be viewed here.
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