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"Due to overwhelming competition from Apple products over the last several years, Microsoft has spent billions developing brand-new Windows 8 products, all of which will be released today. The devices associated with the overhauled software are highly deviant from traditional laptops and desktops-nearly all of these products feature touch-screen technology, something personal computers of the past haven&amp;#039;t offered. The new products include all-in-one desktops, laptops (with and without touchscreens), PCs with detachable screens and convertible laptops (which double as tablets). Although Microsoft hasn&amp;#039;t manufactured hardware for over 30 years, they produced a tablet, the Microsoft Surface RT, which will sell for $499 starting today. Next week, Windows 8 will be released for smartphones. In the future, you can even expect to find an online Windows 8 store. Just like Apple&amp;#039;s virtual iTunes marketplace, the Windows 8 store will feature applications built to run on Windows 8 technology. You can also expect to find 34 temporary Microsoft stores in malls around the country as the company continues to promote its new products. The upgraded technology is a result of over 1 billion hours of testing over the past 13 months. Although the software has run smoothly in tests, it&amp;#039;s still a big risk for the company. The new Windows 8 looks and operates much differently from previous versions. Windows 8 features tiles (applications) that stretch across the screen instead of desktop icons-this also means that Windows has eliminated the &amp;quot;start&amp;quot; button and menu that has greeted users when they turned on their computers for over 17 years now. While expert reviews on the new operating system are mixed, Windows is hoping that it&amp;#039;s a hit with consumers. Several PC makers, such as Hewlett-Packard Co. and Dell Inc., are struggling as their stocks continue to plummet. Products to watch out for are the Sony Vaio Tap 20 desktop and the Toshiba Satellite U925t convertible laptop, two of the most inventive products with Windows 8 technology.   Will you buy a Windows 8 product? What do you think of the new features? Comment below! "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.womansday.com/life/news/a47462/radically-new-windows-8-pcs-and-devices-released-today/>