Intel says that Microsoft will make four different versions of Windows 8 which will run on ARM processors, according to Bloomberg. But don’t worry, as from what Renee James said, there won’t be four different versions of Windows 8 for the ARM processor (Starter, Premium, Professional, Ultimate, etc.), but different versions of Windows 8 which will work with four different types of ARM processors (different manufacturers).

The downside of Windows 8 on ARM (System on a Chip) will be no backwards compatibility, meaning existing applications could not run on the platform. This has caused some to believe this will be bad for the Windows ecosystem — but in reality, it isn’t.

Why, you ask? If there will only be one version of Windows 8 that will run on ARM processors (but work on four different types of ARM processors) it will be Windows for Tablets, meaning there will be a completely different user interface. This is a good thing, as it would require developers to ensure their applications look and work correctly on the new form factor. After all, how would you like it if someone tried to take a Windows 7 application and just try to shove it on Windows Phone 7? If it was possible, it wouldn’t be very pretty.

All I am getting at is: this isn’t a big deal. Besides, Windows 8 for the desktop will continue to run older versions of Windows applications.

It looks as though Windows 8 Italy is at it again, this time with a list of features which could make an appearance in the Windows Store in the next version of Windows.

The following is the article translated using Microsoft Translator, though I have made some changes for clarity as well.

Digging through the file system of Windows 8, we discovered libraries for managing Windows Store, and today we present exclusive information for Windows 8 Italy, [about] main features [of the Windows Store].

• Purchas[ing] of goods and services directly within applications.
• You can install trial applications and then decide whether to switch to full version.
• Users can [rate] and review applications. Each comment can be rated by other users.
• Users can send reports of problems [to] developers of [the] applications.
• You obviously can search [for] applications and filter the results by price or category.
• Each application will [have] available information [such as]:
  • Minimum system requirements
  • End-user license
  • Feature requests (Webcam, GPS …)
  • Category and description
  • Application functionality
  • Content classification
  • Screenshot
  • Links to support forums
  • Types of supported architectures (x 86, x 64, ARM or neutral)
  • List of enhancements in the latest versions (change log)

Windows Ultimate Extras was a promise by Microsoft for “cutting-edge programs, innovative services and unique publications.” At least that’s what Microsoft said they would bring for users running Windows Vista Ultimate, but that never turned out as planned. Microsoft ended up only releasing about 7 Ultimate Extras, something they were heavily criticized for seeing as that was an advertised benefit to using Ultimate over Premium.

It now looks as though Windows Ultimate Extras could return from the dead, or so WinRumors reports.

Credit: winrumors.com

We have been seeing a lot of rumors surrounding Windows 8 getting some sort of integration with Windows Live, but now Windows8Beta.com has received a picture from an anonymous source with even more evidence of such a feature.

The most revealing part of this supposed screenshot is the text: “You only need a single online ID and its password to log on to your computers that are running Windows 8.”

This is all just a rumor, so don’t give it to much thought, but this would not be a surprising move. We may finally be seeing a consolidation of Windows Live and Windows itself for once, which will be awesome.

Image Credit: windows8beta.com

A week ago I posted about a some information obtained from leaked builds of Windows 8 which would allow you to use an email account as a Windows account, which could have the possibility of logging you in on any computer running Windows 8.

Now it appears that someone has uncovered some new options in the Windows 8 Control Panel called Roaming Options, which allows you to choose what data should follow you around when you link an account to an email address. It is most likely the email address would need to be a Windows Live ID, but seeing as any email address can be a Windows Live ID, that’s not such a big deal.

The following information could be chosen to “roam” with you:

• Personalization – This would be things such as your desktop background and Aero glass color.
• Accessibility – Your options in the ease of access control panel, and magnifier, on screen keyboard and speech recognition settings.
• Language Settings – Your language profile, text prediction preferences, and IME dictionary.
• Application Settings – Application settings and search history.
• Windows Settings – Taskbar, Explorer, search and mouse settings.
• Credentials – Wireless network profiles and saved website credentials.

There are two other options under Network options, which allow you to choose whether or not your settings will roam on paid network and on networks with low bandwidth. Not too sure what the first one would be, but it might prevent syncing on 3G and 4G networks, which could cost you quite a bit of money. Then as for the low bandwidth option, Windows might detect whether or not the Internet connection is fast enough to not be a pain in the behind when syncing all the roaming data for your user account.

While this is a rumor, and nothing is set in stone, I can’t help but feel excited. After all, I use two computers: my desktop and netbook. It would be great if all my preferences and other application data would be in sync. Also, if anyone ever bought a new computer, whether it replaces an old one or not, all you would do is log in (either with your Windows Live ID, or you attach it to it) and your data is synchronized on your new computer. Wouldn’t that be nice?

One would assume for the applications themselves, a Windows Marketplace application would handle all of that, simply remembering which applications you own or have downloaded and installed, while Windows itself would sync all application settings. We know absolutely nothing of a Windows Marketplace for the next version of Windows, because what was previously thought to have been a possible “Window 8 App Store” screenshot, turned out to be a fake.

Thanks to the image by Long Zheng at istartedsomething.com