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Windows 8: 11 cool features on Microsoft's new OS

Windows 8: 11 cool features on Microsoft's new OS
Screenshot of Windows 8 CNET/AllThingsD

(CBS/CNET/AP) - Microsoft gave an early demonstration of the new look and capability of Windows 8 at Wednesday's D9 conference.

Pictures: 11 cool features on Microsoft Windows 8 for tablets

President of Windows Steven Sinofsky also gave an early preview even before he took the stage in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., to his conference hosts at the All Things D blog. For now it's called Windows 8, but Sinofsky says that's just a code name.

"We tried with Windows 8 to re-imagine how you work with a PC," Sinofsky said on stage during an interview with D9 host Walt Mossberg.

According to CNET, the first noticeable change is the start menu, which has been drastically altered to look a lot more like Windows Phone 7. As for other changes, the system requirements for Windows 8 won't be more than what's required for a PC to run Windows 7.

It will run on Intel, AMD processors, and ARM chips and the development platform is based on HTML5 and JavaScript. Any applications created for a touch interface can also work with a mouse and keyboard. There's also an option for a split virtual keyboard for typing on a tablet.

To log in to Windows 8 requires just a swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Applications will be launched from a series of tiles. Included in the the start-up menu tiles is a direct link to a Microsoft Store, which suggests Microsoft will have its own version of an online application store, similar to the Mac App Store.

Sinofsky says it will work on laptops, desktops, and tablets, and that everything that worked with Windows 7 will work with the next-generation OS as well.

Read Erica Ogg's full story at CNET News

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