New Delhi, October 28, 2012 - Microsoft has unveiled its new operating system – Windows 8 – in India, simultaneously with the global launch, An event which coupled with the release abroad, of the Surface Tablet makes this arguably one of the biggest event in its 37 year history. Windows 8 PCs and tablets will be available in India from 14 OEM partners – Acer, Asus, Dell, Fujitsu, HCL, Hewlett Packard, Lenovo, RP Infosystems, Sai Info System, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, Wipro and Zenith Computers on a variety of form factors - from tablets and hybrids to laptops and ultrabooks, on both touch and non-touch devices.
Says Bhaskar Pramanik, Chairman, Microsoft India” “With the launch of Windows 8, Microsoft is unveiling a reimagined Windows to the world. Whether you want a tablet or a PC, whether you want to consume or create, whether you want to work or play – Windows 8 delivers a personalized experience that fits your unique style and needs.”
Windows 8 is natively cloud-connected and users only need to sign in once with their Microsoft account, to ensure that all the things they care about most including mails, calendars, contact, pictures etc. are seamlessly synced across multiple devices. Windows 8 comes with a new browser update, Internet Explorer 10 that is touch-ready.
Windows 8 will be available in two versions at retail, Windows 8 and Windows 8 Pro. And for our business customers, Windows 8 Enterprise offers mobile productivity with features like Windows To Go, DirectAccess, and BranchCache, as well as enhanced end-to-end security with features including BitLocker and AppLocker. Launching at the same time is a new member of the Windows family designed for ARM-based tablets, Windows RT, which will be available pre-installed on new devices.
With this launch, the Windows Store is now open and a plethora of global and local apps will be available for download. In India, a range of immersive, free and paid apps can be downloaded including Bharat Matrimony, BigFlix, BookMyShow, Bookyourtable, Burrp, Dhingana, Fastrack Tees, Flyte MP3, Gaana, Goibibo, Hindustan Times, ICICI Bank iMobile, ICICIDirect, JustEat, MakeMyTrip Explore, MapmyIndia, my airtel, NDTV Play, PVR Cinemas, Tarla Dalal, The Times of India, Yahoo Cricket, and Zovi, among many others.
In addition to the range of new devices available, consumers can also upgrade their existing PCs. From 2nd June 2012 until 31st January 2013, consumers currently running PCs with Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7, are qualified to download Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of Rs. 1,999. And Windows 7 PCs purchased between June 2, 2012, and January 31, 2013 can download Windows 8 Pro for an estimated retail price of Rs. 699 with the Windows Upgrade Offer, available at www.windowsupgradeoffer.com
See an interview with Bill Gates in our tech video spot at www.indiatechonline.com
EARLY COVERAGE AND FIRST REACTIONS:
AP/ USA Today:Early look baffles consumers: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/personal/2012/10/20/early-look-at-windows-8-baffles-consumers/1646077/
Information Week: All About Touch: Microsoft's new OS offers the option of using a mouse and keyboard. But for most applications, it will have you touching, tapping and swiping. http://www.informationweek.com/software/windows8/windows-8-review-all-about-touch/240010599?cid=nl_IW_net_update_2012-10-26_html&elq=5590a7d7744247ee81b3336697751c4a
LA Times: Windows 8 is described by one analyst as 'the most major revision' to Microsoft's operating system in nearly two decades. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-microsoft-windows-8-20121026,0,2785932.story
New York Times: Windows, Revamped and Split in 2 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/25/technology/personaltech/microsofts-windows-revamped-and-split-in-2.html?ref=technology&_r=0