SAN FRANCISCO: Microsoft is reportedly said to be tweaking its latest operating system, Windows 8.1, to help users who have not yet upgraded their existing hardware enable touch. The news was reported by USA Today, along with inputs from Associated Press.
The company launched Windows 8 in 2012, and it was optimized to allow users to interact and input commands using the touch screens on tablets and phones. However, the changes are not as helpful to users who don’t have touch screens. The touch-based gesture commands didn't translate well for traditional mouse and keyboards.
Joe Belfiore, vice president of Microsoft, said on his blog post "We are making improvements to the user interface that will naturally bridge touch and desktop, especially for our mouse and keyboard users"
"Don't worry, we still LOVE and BELIEVE IN touch… but you'll like how much more smooth and convenient these changes make mouse and keyboard use," he added.
Belfiore, at the Mobile World Congress being held in Barcelona, Spain, said that the new update to Windows 8.1 is expected this spring. The Windows Start page will have the search, power and settings buttons so that it is easier for users of the older operating system to find their way around. There would also be easier ways to close apps.
Belfiore also said that 40 percent of devices running Windows 8, sold in the US, are touch-enabled.
