A new build of Windows 8 that's been leaked online has reportedly revealed a number of interesting features in the new OS, including an app store and SMS technology.
According to Redmond Pie, Windows enthusiast Thomas Hounsell has taken a sneaky look at some of the system files in the latest leaked build (build 7989) of the OS, revealing a number of key features.
The first point of interest is what looks like confirmation of the long-rumoured Windows 8 app store. This is likely to behave similarly to Apple’s app store model, but with one key difference - it looks as though you'll be able to unlock portions of Windows by making purchases in the app store.
This implies that Microsoft may be moving away from the range of SKUs it offered with XP, Vista and Windows 7 in favour of shipping one single version of its OS, which users can then customise by unlocking features via the app store.
Interestingly, the source code also appears to imply that Microsoft is planning to build in geo-location logging. This could enable the company to track a Windows 8 powered machine over time - a feature obviously aimed at tablets and laptops. It will be interesting to see what happens to this feature in the final build of the OS, however, given the privacy furore that surrounded Apple’s acknowledgement that it used similar technology earlier this year.
Finally, there's also a hint that Windows 8 will come with SMS features built in, which would make sense given the operating system's tablet-friendly interface.
Of course, these findings are all based on a leaked copy of an early build of the OS, so it’s worth taking them with a pinch of salt. However, if the rumours are true, it looks as though Microsoft is clearly hoping that its new OS will help it hoover up a sizeable share of the lucrative tablet market.
Can you see yourself using Windows 8 on a tablet? Do you like the idea of unlocking portions of the OS via an app store? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
According to Redmond Pie, Windows enthusiast Thomas Hounsell has taken a sneaky look at some of the system files in the latest leaked build (build 7989) of the OS, revealing a number of key features.
The first point of interest is what looks like confirmation of the long-rumoured Windows 8 app store. This is likely to behave similarly to Apple’s app store model, but with one key difference - it looks as though you'll be able to unlock portions of Windows by making purchases in the app store.
This implies that Microsoft may be moving away from the range of SKUs it offered with XP, Vista and Windows 7 in favour of shipping one single version of its OS, which users can then customise by unlocking features via the app store.
Interestingly, the source code also appears to imply that Microsoft is planning to build in geo-location logging. This could enable the company to track a Windows 8 powered machine over time - a feature obviously aimed at tablets and laptops. It will be interesting to see what happens to this feature in the final build of the OS, however, given the privacy furore that surrounded Apple’s acknowledgement that it used similar technology earlier this year.
Finally, there's also a hint that Windows 8 will come with SMS features built in, which would make sense given the operating system's tablet-friendly interface.
Of course, these findings are all based on a leaked copy of an early build of the OS, so it’s worth taking them with a pinch of salt. However, if the rumours are true, it looks as though Microsoft is clearly hoping that its new OS will help it hoover up a sizeable share of the lucrative tablet market.
Can you see yourself using Windows 8 on a tablet? Do you like the idea of unlocking portions of the OS via an app store? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
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