Rumor: Windows 8 to feature tile-based interface and app store

[nsane.forums]

Details have emerged today about new features that may be found in the next iteration of Microsoft's operating system, Windows 8.

According to blogger Paul Thurrott, Windows 8 may include an all-new user interface for products such as tablet computers. Dubbed "Mosh", it's thought the new UI will be based around the tiles concept found on Microsoft's Zune and Windows Phone 7 devices, with Thurrott suggesting the interface will either be opt-in or only available on low powered devices such as tablets.

And in a bid to compete in the new App Store crazy world, Thurrott suggests Microsoft may be investigating the possibility of shipping Windows 8 with an in-built application store which would allow developers to sell their applications through an official Microsoft marketplace. Codenamed "Jupiter", the marketplace could provide a one-stop shop for purchasing apps built using Microsoft's Silverlight technology and would compete against the likes of Apple, who are set to debut their own app store for Macs within hours.

"The app store will provide access to new, Silverlight based "immersive" applications that are deployed as AppX packages (.appx)," Thurrott wrote. "The Windows and Office teams are betting very heavily on this new app type, according to my source, and development has already begun using a beta version of Visual Studio 2012."

Although Thurrott appears to hold belief that the information above is accurate based on the information he received, he does however warn the information cannot be verified as yet so should be taken "with the grain of salt intended."

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[threejay]

Gah, a tile-based interface would be such a waste for high-end computers. I hope it'll be solely an opt-in feature...