Windows 8 Offers Internet Explorer 10, Ribbon, Apps Galore
Lock-Screen
Windows 8's lock-screen offers at-a-glance info on battery life and connectivity.
Start Screen
Windows 8's start screen embraces the same Metro design aesthetic that increasingly defines Microsoft's products, from Windows Phone to the new Xbox dashboard.
Windows Store
In a bid to compete against Google Android and Apple's iOS and Mac OS X, Microsoft is offering an app storefront that it hopes third-party developers will soon fill with must-have apps.
App Purchase
Downloading an app to Windows 8 is a very quick process, reminiscent of what you'd find with Windows Phone, iOS or Google Android.Â
App Install
App installation is likewise a breeze.
App Tiles
Once added, an app appears as one of many tiles on the start screen.
Calendar
Preinstalled Windows 8 apps also adhere to the Metro design aesthetic.
Xbox Live
With apps on both Windows Phone and now Windows 8, Xbox continues to play an integral role in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Thumbnails
Users can see which apps are currently running on their Windows 8 machine.
Internet Explorer
As part of the Consumer Preview, Microsoft is providing Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5, specifically tailored to Windows 8 devices.
Windows Explorer
One click or tap will deliver the user from the Metro-style start screen to a desktop interface, with access to elements such as Windows Explorer. This view is familiar to anyone who's used Windows in the past.
Ribbon
However, Microsoft has made some changes to the "traditional" interface, including the addition of a version of its ribbon interface to Windows Explorer.
Maps
The preinstalled map app, useful for tablet owners looking for a way from Point A to Point B.
Metro
Users can "zoom" out to see all their tiles in a macro-view.
Widgets
Hovering the mouse (or a finger) over the bottom-right side of the screen will bring up a series of widgets that govern search, settings and other options.
SkyDrive
SkyDrive lets users store their work in the cloud—another useful feature for mobile users.
Weather
The weather app at work.
