Microsoft accidently confirms arrival of Windows 9
We all love sneaky leaks but they’re even better when they come directly from the itchy trigger finger at HQ. Microsoft has not only confirmed the imminent arrival of Windows 9 but also a little hint of what’s in store.
Microsoft’s Chinese office has accidentally leaked the Windows 9 logo in a blog post, which is no big thing really as it follows the design of Windows 8.
What is a bit cheeky is the tag line which went along with it.
Microsoft’s latest OS Windows 9 is coming soon, do you think the start menu at the left bottom will make a come back?
The post has since been removed but it wasn’t fast enough to avoid screenshots and media reports from circulating.
Microsoft has yet to officially comment further about Windows 9, which has been codenamed Threshold.
The thing is that this leak coincides with recent reports suggesting that the company will release a preview of the updated operating system by the end of this month. If all of this is legit then it would make sense that Microsoft was getting everything in place and ready for the push.
The upcoming Windows 9 preview for developers and enterprise users will give us our first look at the new user interface, which is said to feature a metro style start button.
Winbeta claims that Windows 9 on desktop computers will do away with the Charms bar (the menu which pops in from the right with buttons like search, share, start and settings) altogether. It will most likely remain on tablets apparently.
One method that we heard about that stands out is having a button up near the window controls that once pressed, would reveal the Search, Share, Devices and Settings charms from the top of the window (there’s no need for a Start Button for desktop users in the charms.)
While the return of the start button will be the main selling point, reports have suggested that Microsoft is also testing its digital assistant, Cortana, on desktop machines – meaning we could see it come to Windows 9 in a future update so be prepared to be chatting with your Windows PC, laptop and tablet soon.
