Microsoft to release Beta Windows 8 next year, ARM-based tablet may be limited to Metro UI

Microsoft is working hard on the next version of Windows, which is going to be very important for the company’s future. A beta version of it it expected to be released very soon – some source claim it’s going to be released in February next year, while others say it’s going to happen as soon as January. It’s also very likely, that Microsoft make a demonstration of Windows 8 at CES 2012, which is going to begin on 09.01.

A big plus of the new OS is going to be the ability for users to switch between desktop and tablet interface, but as it turns out ARM-based machines may be limited to Metro UI only. This information is not official, but it’s coming from Microsoft employee Paul Thurrott. According to him, Microsoft have decided to put ARM-based tablets against the iPad and Android devices, so it won’t need full Windows 8 application support, while x86-tablets are going to compete with netbooks and ultrabooks. B. A.