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On June 1st Microsoft demonstrated the new user interface for the next version of Windows, code named Windows 8. Perhaps the biggest change in Windows 8 is that it’s designed to be usable on small touch screens right through to large screens, with or without a mouse and keyboard.

So what else is new about the Windows 8 interface? Here’s a quick look:

  1. Tile based start screen – The new start screen, which replaces the Windows Start Menu, uses a tile-based interface similar to what you see in Windows Phone 7. This new start screen is customisable and allows for fast launching of apps.
  2. Live tiles with notifications – Having Live tiles means that the information displayed in each tile is constantly updated, so you can see at a glance the information that is most important to you. For example your calendar tile might always display your next appointment, while a tile for a weather application might display the forecast for the next 3 days.
  3. Easy resizing of applications – The new snap feature allows you to easily snap an application to the side of the screen and then resize it to suit you. This makes it easy to view more than one application at once, for those times when you need to multitask.
  4. Touch optimised – The Windows 8 interface has been designed to take full advantage of touch screen capabilities, but will still work just as well with a mouse and keyboard. Windows 8 will also work with Internet Explorer 10 to give you fully touch optimised internet browsing.

Here’s a video that gives you a look at the new interface in action.

Besides what we know for certain about the next version of Windows, there has also been much speculation about what might be included. Lifehacker has an article on their site covering some of the features that likely could be included in Windows 8. To check it out, click here.

If you would like to read more about the new Windows 8 interface, click here.

Update: Wondering when the next version of Windows is likely to be available? Microsoft is hinting that it will be the third quarter of 2012. Click here to read more.