Microsoft confirms Windows 8 will be available in October

Microsoft

Windows 8 will be available for consumers in October.

Microsoft announced at the Worldwide Partner Conference today that it will release the newest version of its operating system, Windows 8, for customers at the end of October. Manufacturers will have access to the OS the first week of August.

The new OS, which Microsoft designed to work across mobile and PC platforms, will cost $39.99 for users with Windows XP or above.

Windows 8 has been criticized for being too mobile focused. The company?s recent announcement that it will be selling the Microsoft Surface tablet to compete with Apple?s iPad and Amazon?s Kindle Fire makes it clear Microsoft is pushing hard into the mobile space. The new Windows Phone and its accompanying OS will include mobile wallet capabilities.

The company is also releasing a pro version of Windows 8 that will allow the user to turn off some of the features, such as the ?Metro-style? tiles that display information from apps that update in real time.

Windows 8 Pro will be available for $14.99 for anyone who purchases a Windows 7 PC between June 2, 2012 and Jan. 31, 2013.

Emily Parkhurst covers the technology industry for the Puget Sound Business Journal/TechFlash.

Source: http://feeds.bizjournals.com/~r/vertical_40/~3/lW84xG0a5pA/microsoft-confirms-windows-8-will-be.html

robert e lee dez bryant aaliyah golden globe winners the express zappos hacked jane fonda