Windows 8 Developer Release

Visitors to the Windows-focused BUILD conference in Anaheim, California got a first glimpse of what Microsoft has in mind for the upcoming Windows 8 release. Redmond rolled out a Developer Preview of Windows 8, so that programmers can get started planning and building applications for the new system.

According to Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows and Windows Live divisions, Microsoft has “reimagined Windows.” Like other OS vendors, Microsoft seems to be tooling up for the smartphone revolution, with a built-in app store, support for ARM chipsets, and more attention to touchscreen technologies.

Of course, all the changes aren't on the mobile and client end. Windows 8 Server features a reinvented Server Manager tool and, as you could probably guess, increased attention to cloud computing.

Microsoft has not set an official release date for Windows 8, but indications are that the final release will probably appear in the Fall of 2012.

For more information, see Microsoft's website (http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2011/sep11/09-13FutureofComputingPR.mspx)