Beautiful, fast and fluid Windows 8 to revolutionise PC and laptop user experience

By David Ebert

The new Windows 8 operating system was introduced to the media at a familiarisation demonstration held on Wednesday at the Microsoft Colombo office, promising to open up a new experience for users and bridge existing gaps across the PC hardware space, application developer space and enterprise customer space as well.

With the introduction of Windows 8, application developers and Microsoft OEM partners in the business of manufacturing and importing PC hardware can look to reach a higher level in the development of newer and more exciting products, while providing a reliable platform for its enterprise customers to be tuned in and up-to-date in today’s fast paced business environment.

The wheel has been completely reinvented in Microsoft’s latest offering with a total focus on the customer’s life and user habits, designed to seamlessly integrate with a range of new hardware products being used by businesses and consumers alike.

From compact touch-enabled tablets and lightweight laptops to PCs and large, powerful all-in-ones with high definition screens, the key feature of Windows 8 is how it provides the user instant access to people, the latest apps and information they need through the course of the day in turn making them spend less time searching and more time doing. So no matter what task a user needs is faced with, be it completing a project, staying up to date on a business application or simply reading a book, the seamless integration from touch, mouse of keyboard makes sure it gets done simpler and quicker on Windows 8.

Since its launch in October last year, Windows 8 has already provided impetus to the local app developer community which has seen a range of new apps cutting across various sectors and fields from games, lifestyle and entertainment, to health, cookery and business being developed and marketed using the system.

Microsoft Sri Lanka Director Developer Platform Evangelism Wellington Perera said that the company has been putting a lot of weight behind the uplifting of the local app developer ecosystem by providing the required knowledge, assistance and tools to be able to build the right apps sought after by Windows 8 users: “The app developer ecosystem in Sri Lanka is flourishing and it has never been an easy journey but on reflection we can be extremely happy about how it has developed.”

Perera went on to point out that the majority of the developers jumping on board are University students from the country’s Universities and said that the company tries to go the extra mile to encourage more participation from within the student faculties: “The enthusiasm on the part of the students is simply amazing. They are learning fast and with the arrival of Windows 8, they see new windows of opportunity because Windows 8 is a great platform for them to feature their apps and earn some value and recognition while competing with local and international app developers.

Perera also stated that the system gives local developers a place where they can meet hundreds of thousands of customers who are willing to buy their apps, so this creates value for their efforts and provides impetus for them to achieve more, auguring well for the industry as a whole. Addressing the commercial revenue aspect of the developer ecosystem and how Windows 8 overcomes them, Perera stated that developers faced some hardships before due to the lack of online payment gateway facilities in Sri Lanka: “We introduced a new simplified mechanism where they could purchase apps through savings accounts and this was very successful and now most developers are making money by selling their apps to both local and international customers.” Malinda Silva, a University of Moratuwa student and local app developer showcased his latest recipe app and his ‘omi’ card game app developed using Windows 8 and praised the system, stating: “Features such as such as ‘Live Tile’ definitely boost the development process, also with Windows 8 mobile apps can be introduced to computers with only slight modifications. This I must say is a great encouragement for developers and as a developer myself I intend to use the system to create better and more innovative apps.” Another University of Moratuwa student and app developer Rukshan Dangalla showcased his new Sri Lankan travel app which gives travelers a virtual guide with insights into the popular travel destinations across the country.

Also unveiled were the latest Windows 8 enabled devices introduced by Microsoft’s OEM partners Acer from Metropolitan, Singer Sri Lanka PLC, Lenovo, Softlogic Maxmo and HP.

Pix by Daminda Harsha Perera