Microsoft announced Monday that its upcoming new operating system, Windows 8, will hit retail outlets in late October. Windows 8 is a radical departure from the previous versions of Windows, eschewing the ubiquitous taskbar, desktop and file-folder user interface in favor of Microsoft’s new “Metro” style, a series of interlocking colored tiles that represent various programs and apps. Windows 8, which will be available on PCs and tablets, is designed to provide a nearly identical experience on desktop computers and mobile devices.
The announcement came during Microsoft’s Worldwide Partners Conference in Toronto.
