Microsoft previewed its latest version of the Windows OS at the All Things D conference in Taipei and it is a marked departure from every version of Windows that's preceded it. The new generation Windows 8 has a completely new tile-based interface that is more touch based than any version of Windows.

Windows 8 was clearly intended to boost Microsoft's presence in the tablet market and it shows. This 'reimagining' of Windows will run on all types of platforms from the traditional PC system to touch screens without the use of a keyboard or mouse. It certainly looks impressive and prettier than Windows 7. There is a new start screen that replaces that start button and taskbar and instead shows app icons like those on the Windows Phone 7 OS. Tap the icon with a finger, or use a mouse if you're still on a PC, and the app will take up the entire screen minus the usual Windows accessories like the Windows menu or scroll bars. This doesn't mean that Windows users will say goodbye to old software like Microsoft Office. It's still there; tap the desktop icon for an Office app and Windows will look like the old, familiar Windows.

The new interface will shine in tablets and smartphones. Users with touchscreen capable devices will be able to switch from app to app with the swipe of a finger. The interface seems to run smoothly and quickly but any bugs won't show up until the actual product is released. Aside from the facelift, Windows 8 will have new tools and services for software developers that will use HTML 5, Javascript and CCS to build Web-connected apps for Windows 8 and Internet Explorer 10.

According to the USA Today report the new operating system will be backwards compatible and will run Windows 7 applications. Steven Sinofsky, the president of the Windows and Windows Live Division at Microsoft won't commit on the release date of Windows 8 but said that it won't be as early as this fall. There will be more news at the developer's conference this fall.