New ecosystem opportunities, Windows 8.1 updates shared

New ecosystem opportunities, Windows 8.1 updates shared at Computex

Today during Microsoft's keynote at Computex Taipei 2013, the world's second largest computer show, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft's OEM division Nick Parker reinforced the potential the Windows platform can offer for partners. As part of the keynote, Windows CFO and CMO Tami Reller joined him onstage and shared the ongoing progress we're seeing with Windows 8 and what that means in terms of opportunities for the ecosystem.

Antoine Leblond, corporate vice president of Windows program management joined Tami and other top Microsoft executives on stage to give our very first public demo of the upcoming Windows 8.1 update - touching upon many of the exciting improvements Antoine highlighted in his blog post from last week. You can see some of the highlights of what to expect in Windows 8.1 for yourself in this short demo video featuring Jensen Harris from the Windows User Experience Team:

Additionally, Tami announced that Outlook 2013 RT will be coming to Windows RT tablets as part of Windows 8.1. Windows running on ARM architectures has enabled an exciting new category of mobile-first, instant-on tablets that are thin and lightweight, with amazing battery life. We know that the addition of Outlook for those using ARM-based Windows devices such as the Surface RT, Dell XPS 10, Lenovo Yoga 11, and ASUS VivoTab RT as well as new tablets to come in the future has been a popular request from consumers and businesses alike. As Tami said in her keynote address, we've listened and Outlook will be joining the other Office applications currently available on Windows RT, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.

Our commitment to Windows on ARM doesn't stop with the addition of Outlook 2013 RT. We announced a number of other enhancements with Windows 8.1, earlier this week at TechEd North America, including new manageability, networking, and security capabilities that will make Windows RT an even more compelling option for enterprises.

Tami also shared that new small screen x86 tablets including the recently announced Acer Iconia W3, will come with Office Home and Student 2013 right out of the box. For both businesses and consumers, we're committed to making all Windows tablets, both x86 and ARM, great options for work as well as play.

We're only weeks away from the public preview of Windows 8.1, which will be available starting June 26th.


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Outlook RT, very nice!

So on another thread I posted that Microsoft should probably bundle Office 2013 Home and Student together with Windows 8 tablet PCs... I freaking guess they are! :cool:

Although I'm trying to comprehend how Office work can be done on an 8 inch screen. I guess I am not old enough to remember those little boobtube monitors way back when.... ;)
 

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I use Outlook exclusively for my e-mail so that's one less nit pick for me against RT. I still wouldn't buy one but good for Microsoft for adding it. I think bundling Office with the Pro is a good move to, even if it ends up being a limited time only deal. It will still save some buyers a few bucks. It might even swing the deal for a few. Yeah, office work could be a pain on an 8 inch screen. You could always dock it and use a bigger external screen but that would kind of kill the touch screen. Being old school I'd still prefer to do that kind of daily work on a desktop with a descent sized monitor or two. A tablet with an 11 inch screen would be more appealing to me. Maybe even a 12 inch screen. I don't travel so I'd likely only carry it as far as my deck or around the house. It would be in my lap most of the time.
 

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    Windows 10 Education 64 Bit
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    HP DVD1040e Lightscribe - External USB2
what's new in win 8.i

So what's new help make win8 better
Windows 8.1 - What's New, IT Pro Features, Devices, UI | TechNet

Some things that the average user might like !
Modern UI experience

Variable, Continuous Size of Snap Views

You have more ways to see multiple apps on the screen at once. You can re-size apps to nearly infinite sized windows, share the screen between two apps, or have up to three apps on each monitor.

Boot to Desktop

We have made configuration options available which will allow you to boot directly to the desktop in Windows 8.1.
Desktop and Start Screen

Improvements have been made to better support users who prefer a mouse and keyboard experience to access applications.

These are just some of the key features available in Windows 8.1 We encourage you to test out and try these features when you evaluate Windows 8.1 for use both in your work environment as well as at home in your personal life. Please note that Windows Server 2012 R2 may be required in order for some of these features to be available.

First look at Windows 8.1 - YouTube
 
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    win8.1.1 enterprise
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    Hinze57
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    AMD FX 6100 6core 3.30gHz
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    gigibyte ga-78lmy-s2p
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    4gig ddr3
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    Radon hd5000 Series
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    microsoft curve 200
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    Logitech wireless M215
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    high speed 20
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    ie 11
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    windows defender
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    updated enterprise apr 2/14
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