RahatMadMac

WINDOWS 8 ON TAP AT MICROSOFT BUILD

Just when many folks are getting used to running Windows 7, Microsoft's latest operating system, the software giant plans to unveil the first details of the upcoming Windows 8.

Microsoft will start taking the wraps off its next operating system at its Build conference Tuesday at 9 a.m. PT, and we'll be there to bring you the news, live from the Anaheim Convention Center. Microsoft holds these types of events--they used to be called Professional Developers Conferences--to give software developers guidance to create new applications for the next generation of its operating system.

This conference comes at a crucial time for Microsoft. PC growth is slowing as tablets, notably Apple's iPad, are displacing PCs for some applications. Until now, Microsoft has had no real competitive response. Build will be its best effort to change the conversation.

The company has already given a few peeks at Windows 8. At the D9 conference this spring, Microsoft unveiled a new interface that uses the same look--which Microsoft has dubbed Metro--as its Windows Phone 7 operating system. At that conference, Microsoft also gave a glimpse of its new touch interface.

The company has since disclosed some other, more technical, details, such as faster boot times and the addition of its Hyper-V virtualization tool in the operating system.

On Tuesday morning, much more will be revealed, and as usual, we'll be using Cover It Live to bring you updates and photos from the event. You can go ahead and bookmark this page and come back to it, or sign up to get an e-mail reminder just before the event starts. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. PT.