What's next after Windows 7 release, Windows 8...9?

Microsoft still has not launched its Windows 7 operating system, but the software giant has already started working on the new version of the Windows 7, dubbed as Windows 8. According to sources, the company is also forming relationships with major partners, including Intel, AMD, HP and IBM for the new platform.Is Windows 8 coming in 2012?Windows 8 may be launched in 2012, assuming Microsoft adhers to its plans to release a new operating system after every three years but the release date would ultimately be determined by product quality, reviews and feedbacks. The company has not announced anything officially, but Steve Ballmer has suggested that improved management and voice recognition are their development priorities for the new platform.What's new in Windows 8?

Windows 7 is set to launch worldwide on October 22, and will be available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. However, the next version of the operating system will have 128-bit architecture, sources added. As the promotions and the marketing tactics for the Windows 7 operating system heads toward its peak, a few details are starting to surface about its likely successor.The earlier version, Windows Vista is also available in both 32-bit and 64-bit versions, but has failed to attract consumers. The benefit of 64-bit computers over 32-bit computers is that the former can address more RAM and are hypothetically more powerful than latter. Therefore, with 128-bit, the new version will have even more to deliver than its predecessors.According to various analysts, virtualization will feature more prominently with Windows 8, which will offer more support for virtual desktops, for streaming applications, for access to applications without any net connection. Also, it will save money and time of the businesses and will provide better support for various business processes.

It is also expected that the new platform will include technologies like as 3D and gesture recognition, voice recognition or something similar to Google's Web-based Chrome operating system technology. Also, analysts predict that the Redmond based company will combine cloud computing with the operating system providing a Windows-based experience better than any other. For this, Microsoft may incorporate its Azure cloud platform into the desktop environment.

It is expected that Microsoft will also add some innovative feature in the new platform like Distributed File System Replication (DFSR) service, which is a multi-master replication engine set up for folder synchronization across multiple servers. It may also be present in the Windows 8 Server. Also, a new feature is present in the Windows 7, namely BranchCache, which store caches for quick access to already used files from internet or server. Major improvements can be expected for BranchCache in the next operating system.

Discussion

In the new operating system, the software giant will certainly add various new technologies to counter various new operating systems from its competitors for example Google's Chrome, Linux, Ubuntu and other open source operating system. By the end of August 2009, Microsoft's eight year old horse, Windows XP was the most widely used operating system in the world with a 66.2% market share. After combining Vista share, Microsoft holds more than ninety percent of the operating systems' market. But, to hold the major chunk of the pie, Microsoft has to work hard for the new operating system.

Pooja Vij/ITvoir Network