Amidst all the WikiLeaks hoopla, there's also actual regular news going on. Windows 7 is barely out the door, and we're already dealing with Windows 8, which is indeed being worked on but will not arrive for at least two years. There's some rumours from an Italian website which state that the 64bit version of Windows 8 will have a completely new interface called Wind. Right.
My Italian is... Problematic, so while I understand some of it, I have to rely on others to fully grasp what they're saying. Before we get going, though, let me state that I have very little confidence in the validity of these rumours, and the only reason I'm reporting on them is because I think it's completely idiotic for Microsoft to do what these rumours claim.
The Italian website claims that the 64bit version of Windows will come with a new interface called Wind, which won't be available on 32bit installations. It will supposedly be very heavy on the graphics card, requiring 170MB of graphics memory and a dedicated video card. This seems like a complete and utter reversal of all the work done with Windows 7, which massively reduced the memory footprint of the graphics user interface.
What does this 'Wind' need all this memory for? Supposedly, it can run on 3D displays (but doesn't require them), and the interface will be fully dynamic, adapting to the user's daily operations, changing shortcuts and icons to fit the user's needs. This seems like a disaster waiting to happen - "where the heck did my shortcuts go?".
These rumours the exact opposite of what Windows 7 has achieved. Windows 7 is lighter on resources than Windows Vista, and that process of optimisation was far from complete, Microsoft said. It seems like a very stupid idea to come up with an entirely new, resource-heavy interface users will have to adapt to. Also - 3D monitors? I can has 3D input device first plskthnxbi?
I think what we're dealing with here is simply design studies by Microsoft - you know, like concept cars, cars that embody the future design direction of a car company in the extremes in order to highlight them. I'm sure Microsoft is working on some way for the interface to benefit from 3D monitors, but one designed around it within two years?
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: sure, and I have a unicorn.
There's also more reasonable stuff in there, like a fast hibernation system (old rumour, I believe), and better SSD support.
Source: OSnews
