Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Windows 8 to get Immersive UI, Native PDF Reader

Microsoft seems to be giving a design overhaul to its next major operating system Windows 8. Two days ago, we reported about the screenshots of Windows 8 put up by Windows platform hacker Rafael Rivera and Windows IT Pro News Editor, Paul Thurrott. From the initial screenshots, it's fairly clear that Microsoft is experimenting with the implementation of Metro User Interface design language. Now the new screenshots posted at Rivera's WithinWindows Blog show that Microsoft will have a native PDF Reader and several other applications including Internet Explorer with new Immersive UI.

Even though we've kind of settled with Windows 7 Service Pack 1 update, sneak peek to Windows 8 features have started showing up on the interwebs. Rivera has posted new screenshots of Internet Explorer aimed to work in full screen and shows tile based Metro user interface implications. The Internet Explorer is expected to work in full screen and shows browser history in the form of tiles. The Windows 8 UI is termed as Immersive and seems difficult to unlock for performing any checks or changes. This new Immersive UI is aimed at tablets and mobile phones.

Microsoft did have some issues implementing Adobe Reader as a feature in Office 2007 and hence it was offered to download as a separate add-on. Also, we all know how many times Adobe Reader has been targeted for several attacks to spread infection in a PC. To overcome that issue, Microsoft would be adding its own PDF (Portable Document Format) dubbed as Modern Reader in Windows 8.

This native PDF Reader will be part of Microsoft's new application package model codenamed Jupiter and the developers would be able to create Silverlight Apps for Microsoft's Windows App Store. These Native App Packages will have .AppX application extensions and would be exactly like how Apple is offering digital download of Apps and software from its Mac App Store.
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