There were several frustrated Windows 8 enthusiasts at the Consumer Electronic Show 2012 at Las Vegas, Nevada and this frustration was due to a touch-based interface that were not allowed to be touched at all. The much-awaited Microsoft Windows 8 operating system was shown in several prototype ARM-based tablets but no one was allowed to even touch the gadgets.
Famous brands like Nvidia had three tablets all running with Windows 8 OS but were all encased in glass. Texas Instruments proudly showed a tablet that ran on the same operating system in a meeting room off the show floor but reporters were not permitted to try it out. Another vendor of ARM chips is Qualcomm which is also working with Windows 8 but were not presenting their gadgets at all.
All three companies said that Microsoft has placed limits on how they can present Windows 8 on ARM. They are just protecting their product and are not taking chances for consumers to have a bad experience with the software before its release; they believe that allowing consumers to try it out may harm its reputation at an early stage.
Microsoft demonstrated Windows 8’s first code using an ARM chip last year at CES. Windows 8 however, isn’t expected to be released until the late part of 2012. Microsoft gave out Windows 8 test units that ran on x86 processors to reviewers in September 2011; a reporter was allowed to try out the x86 systems with the OS in its booth in the CES.
Director of communications for Microsoft Chris Flores explained that development of the Windows 8 ARM version is on track and it is expected to be released commercially at the same time as the x86 system. Microsoft still had no word if Windows 8 beta, which is due in February, will come out in both platforms.
Sources:
Windows 8 on ARM: You Can Look but You Can’t Touch
Photo credit: Learning about Windows 8 during keynote presentation by BUILDWindows
