Windows 8 is really changing the Windows image. From the new UI to the new packaging (seen below – image courtesy of The Verge), it is really trying to change the public view and opinion. I’m not sure if it’s to make the Windows OS ‘cool’ for the hipsters that jump on Apple products like they were cake to a fat kid. Whatever the reason, it’s a huge change for Microsoft. Like the new packaging (which usually ends up in the trash bin, anyway)? Hate it?

Windows 8, Windows 8 Pro, and Windows RT will all be available on new PCs and tablets from October 26th, and upgrade versions will be available in stores or as an electronic software download. We understand that the packaging will be largely similar to the existing Windows 7 version, but we’ll have to wait until Microsoft officially unveils it to see if the company has put its Windows 8 boxes on a diet — similar to its 37 percent weight lossfrom Vista to Windows 7.

Microsoft Windows 8 has the usual built in games – solitare, Minesweeper. But, they have been updated for the new OS. Minesweeper has updated graphics. And for those that are into Xbox achievements, they are now included. Using the new moniker Xbox Windows brand for the games, you can gain achievements in the best games available for any OS on any platform: Minesweeper and Solitare! Ok, that last part was a bit of a stretch.

The "Xbox Windows" branding seems to cover games from the Windows Store, which will also offer titles that were previously released on Xbox Live Arcade, like Ms. Splosion Manand Rocket Riot. "Xbox Windows" does not appear to replace the existing Games for Windows Live label, which Microsoft insisted as recently as April will stick around in Windows 8.

Arg. It’s like Windows 95 all over again. First, the new interface. Bleh. Then, the fact that you can’t boot to DOS. Bleh. Now, Windows 8 with it’s new interface (I kinda like it!) won’t allow you to boot to the Desktop. You have to start with the new Start Screen (can’t call it Metro anymore, either) and can’t work around it.

I am sure that a workaround will be released by someone. It’s just a matter of time. I’m not too surprised. It’s not really forcing it on you, as it’s not a required update. Don’t like it? Don’t buy it. Simple. Sure, Microsoft will lose a few customers to Mac (I’m sure 2 people will go to Linux!), but the majority will be happy with Windows 8 on a new PC.

One of those tweaks is the decision to block users from setting up their Windows 8 machines to boot straight to the Desktop, circumventing the tiled Start screen, formerly known as the Metro screen. (There’s still no external word as to how Microsoft is planning to rebrand "Metro." It seems the Softies are backing away from the Metro terminology due to pressure of some kind from Metro AG, one of its European retail partners.)

That was faster than I expected. The leaked ISO’s have been cracked, allowing users that downloaded and installed the illegal copy to activate Windows. The new crack bypasses the KMS servers, which allow a 180 days before it checks against a valid server again (which the crack can again be applied).

Although the leaked ISO is out there, I do not recommend getting it for an advanced copy. Sure, it may be a legit copy. But, there may also be some infected copies out there. Nothing like a fresh OS install with built in malware and root kits. That is completely aside from the legal and moral aspects.

Activation will allow you to customize your Start Screen and other various things that require activation before allowing you access to those features.

With developers wanting to get in early on the Metro and Windows 8 release to the public, this number is set to explode between August 15th and October 26th. August 15th is when RTM hits MSDN/Technet, and the date when paid apps are allowed to be submitted to the Windows Store for Windows 8. October 26th is when Windows 8 is finally released to the public.

Currently, 450 apps are in the Windows Store, which may not sound like a lot. But, it’s a great start for an OS that just hit RTM and hasn’t even opened submissions for paid apps.

I haven’t seen an official tally from Microsoft, but Jose Fajarado, a Silverlight and XAML developer who blogs at http://advertboy.wordpress.com, said at latest count he believes there to be about 450 or so Metro-style apps in the Store. (Metro-style apps are those developed from scratch using Microsoft’s WinRT programming interfaces. Nothing but Metro-style apps will work on ARM-based Windows RT devices; both Metro-style and Win32 apps will work on Windows 8 on Intel/AMD PCs and tablets.) The image embedded in this post is from a wall of icons of apps available in the Store that Fajarado is constantly updating.

Windows 8 hit RTM yesterday, and some folks are already getting their hands on it. Darren Baker has installed it on a Samsung Slate and took a lot of screenshots, including the new Metro tutorial after the install.

Then, about 5:30PM PST, I received an email: “Come to the Microsoft Campus, get Windows 8 RTM”. I arrived there just in time, and we made our USB keys. I was warned that it would take some time, as all the other Microsoft employees would also be trying to download RTM from the MS internal servers. I made 2 keys (you have to plan for redundancy) and proceeded to install it on my Samsung Build Slate.

Also released to manufacturing today is Windows Server 2012, with general availability on September 4th. Good news, and I can finally upgrade my Server 2008R2 machine to the great Server 2012!

On behalf of the Windows Server engineering team, I can tell you it has been a thrill and honor for us to deliver this product.  Most importantly, we thank the many thousands of you who have provided your input and guidance throughout the process of designing and building it.  So far the hands-on feedback on the product from you, industry analysts and press has been phenomenally positive.  I attribute that to the fact that, from the outset, we committed ourselves to building Windows Server 2012 around the needs and goals of our customers and partners.  It feels great to ship software that so squarely addresses customer objectives, both in the here and now and in the future.

Windows 8 has finally hit RTM (Release to Manufacturing). Hopefully within the next few weeks we’ll see it on Technet and MSDN and we can get some proper reviews from the final version of the new OS. General availability is coming October 26th and will be released on new PC’s and devices.

Today marks an important milestone in the Windows 8 project. The Windows 8 team is proud to share with you that a short while ago we started releasing Windows 8 to PC OEM and manufacturing partners. This means our next milestone will be the availability of exciting new models of PCs loaded with Windows 8 and online availability of Windows 8 on October 26, 2012.

The big news story yesterday with the Surface pricing was incorrect. Yes, the store put the prices on there, but they were set artificially high. No MSRP pricing has yet been announced by Microsoft, and the company claims that they would lower the cost when the final price was revealed and give those that preorder a refund of the difference.

Our customers are very interested in pre-ordering these products, so we have set a high preliminary pricing for the lineup so that they may be able to pre-order them.

Just to clarify, we have not recieved any pricing from Microsoft regarding MRSP or purchasing net cost, and any people who have booked the Surface at this high price will of course have their order adjusted before any product is shipped. So we’re not going to overcharge anyone for being an early adopter.

If these rumors and screenshot are accurate, Microsoft Surface will be a failure in the market place. $1000 for the entry level Windows RT version?! I am guessing (hoping) that these numbers are not accurate and are just pre-order prices that are inflated to gain some pre-sales in anticipation of a large demand. Similar to the way some game consoles can command 300% of their MSRP on launch due to availability and demand.

If, however, they are accurate – I’ll pass. I’m happy with an iPad. It does most of what I want, and carrying a Windows 8 powered laptop along side for REAL work isn’t that difficult. I’d like an all in one to do work and play, but not at prices above the usually criticized Apple prices. People complain that Apple is too high priced and the ‘Apple Tax’ is high, what are they going to say about this?

Again, I don’t think the prices are real MSRP, but overly inflated presale prices.

The ARM version will not have the flexibility of Pro when it comes to application compatibility so pricing is key. This version is designed to take the iPad head on, if it cannot compete on price from the get go then we have to ask, "What is the point?" WinRT will of course be on every PC sold from the end of this year but we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact  that Microsoft is betting big on WinRT to finally get them into the tablet game.