Look out Android and iOS, there’s a new tab player in town. But how big a player Microsoft Windows for tablets is, codenamed W ‘8’, will be revealed by Windows President Steven Sinofsky to developers next week.
But the big surprise, is the fledgling OS will be demoed on a Samsung tablet, no less.
The Korea Economic Daily reports Windows 8 have partnered up with Android darling Samsung to run its tab on the platform, citing ‘sources.’
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The Korean giant is no stranger to the Microsoft OS and already runs a smartphone on Windows Phone 7, although for the most part is an Android devotee.
“This new product manufactured by Samsung will be the company’s first collaboration with Microsoft in its hardware devices,” AFP reports citing sources.
Samsung have declined to comment although this break-away from Google’s platform began last week, when it announced several new handsets running its home grown Bada platform.
And Sinofsky will be looking to get this gamble on tabs right – Windows 8 will have much catching up to do with already ubiquitous iOS which runs top selling iPad, and Android Honeycomb, which Samsung, Asus and Toshiba tabs all operate.
Windows 8 for tablets will be related to the Windows Phone 7 software, characterised by the tile interface that ties in all of communication tools on the user interface, with regular updates.
But although a late entrant, the software king may not have missed the boat on tablets, still a growing category and Microsoft definitely has a large enough user base, particularly among business users – one of the main consumers of the portable PC.
“Windows 8 is about reimagining Windows, so we took on the challenge to improve the most widely used desktop tool (except maybe for Solitaire) in Windows,” wrote Microsoft in a recent blog posting.
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There is no other news about other possible carriers jumping into bed with Microsoft, although we have heard it may launch its own branded slate.
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But with just 30,000 applications compared to Android 250K and Apple 400K-odd, Microsoft will be looking to seriously impress developers with its tile brainchild and lure them to the platform.
All will be revealed at Microsoft BUILD annual conference which kicks off next Tuesday 13-16 September.
