Microsoft Windows 8: Four expected features

Windows 8 is on course for a 2012 release, according to a Microsoft employee. Whether consumers and businesses considering the switch from Windows XP and Vista to Windows 7 may hold their horses after hearing this news is arguable, but it would be wise to list out strong expected features in Microsoft's next Windows 8 operating system.

Face Recognition:
Windows 8 will -- in all probability -- be the very first Microsoft operating system to support face detection and recognition out-of-the box. Although software exists for face recognition, Microsoft wants to seamlessly integrate the functionality within Windows 8.

128-bit Windows 8 support: Reports of a 128-bit Windows 8 version aren't new, but there are strong hints that Windows 8 will support 128-bit architecture. With the newer iPv6 addresses using 128-bit address scheme, adopting 128-bit support in Windows 8 might not be a far-fetched idea.

Faster bootup time: Windows 7 is still a sluggard when it comes to bootup times, even on the latest laptops we review. Mac OS X on MacBooks, MacBook Pros and iMacs is consistently faster than Windows 7 and it is understood that Microsoft will give Windows 8 a leg up in terms of its boot time.

Windows App Store on Windows 8: Apple did it with its Back to the Mac event, announcing a Mac App Store for Mac OS X, and there's no reason why Microsoft shouldn't do something similar with Windows 8 OS. Windows Phone 7 already has an app store, and a Windows 8 App Store from Microsoft is almost inevitable.

Also Read:
Microsoft Windows 8: What we would like to see
Windows 8 release expected in 2012
Microsoft employee mentions Windows 8 release in 2012