Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) offered the first peek at the next version of the Windows operating system at the AllThingsD conference earlier this week. According to reports, Windows 8 borrows heavily from the touch-centric Windows Phone 7 mobile OS, with its Live Tiles interface taking the place of the desktop. In a statement, Microsoft said that "Windows 8 is a reimagining of Windows, from chip to the interface." Microsoft did add though that users will have the option of sticking with the default Windows 7 layout.

Michael Angiulo, a VP in Microsoft's Windows group, noted at Computex that Windows 8 hardware will run "the same app, completely cross-platform, based on the Windows 8 development platform." In other words, developers will be able to create one application that will work on a Windows 8 laptop and tablet. This is an approach that no one else has taken so far, though it is understood that only apps built specifically for Windows 8 will gain this platform portability.

The downside is that older programs may not run on Windows 8 if the hardware (such as on the ARM-based Windows 8 tablet) is not powered by x86 processors from Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) or AMD. Microsoft has not released an official shipping date for Windows 8, though CEO Steve Ballmer said recently that Windows 8 will be released in 2012.

For more:
- check out this article at PCWorld
- check out these two articles at InformationWeek

Related Articles:
Windows 8 will debut in 2012; more details could come next week
Intel unveils 'Ultrabook' that melds best of laptops, tablets
Leaked: Alleged details of Windows 8
What's risky about the next Windows?