Windows 8 released to manufacturers in time for launch

leaked Lenovo Windows 8 Tablet from Techin5.com

Microsoft announced Windows 8 has been released to manufacturing (RTM). With RTM, they’ve completed the product development and testing and have officially started handing off the final code to their OEM partners, who are preparing new Windows 8 PCs and tablets they’ll introduce this fall. For more on RTM, check out Steven Sinofsky’s blog post on the Building Windows 8 blog.

Select audiences, including developers, IT professionals and partners will have early acc

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New Microsoft accessories revealed ahead of Windows 8

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Windows 8 is said to be coming in October 26th together with the much anticipated Microsoft Surface device. Microsoft has gone ahead and announced a series of cool accessories to complement the new touch-based OS and tablet. Customized mice and keyboards that share the same Microsoft aesthetic as the new tablet including a wedge mobile keyboard that props up the Surface tablet. There is also a series of mice that are scaled down to accomodate the smaller form factor of the Surface Device. 

While these accessories are expected to sell in stores like Future Shop and Best Buy, most will want to experience Windows 8 at the first Canadian Microsoft Store in Toronto's Yorkdale Mall. 

Microsoft launches Office 15, preview available for download

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Microsoft just launched Microsoft Office 15 today during a live webcast this afternoon. The new version of Office is available for download as a Preview so users can get an idea of what it offers. Office 15 will integrate various touch and pen-based input features which are in tune with Windows 8 as well as use on tablets like the Microsoft Surface which was previewed a few weeks ago. 

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Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference descends on Toronto

Downtown Toronto plays host to 15,000 Microsofties this week for the yearly Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference taking place from July 8-12 at the Rogers Centre and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Toronto is expected to earn upwards of $50 million for hosting the conference according to Tourism Toronto.

This is a particularly significant conference for Microsoft which is slated to launch the Windows 8 operating system. Windows 8 is coming this Fall. The new OS has been redesigned from the ground up for multi-touch operation and will run on tablets that can double as full-featured PCs.  Windows 8 will be offered as a $40.00 upgrade to users of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. This high profile conference may generate more interest in Toronto as a world class convention city for the technology sector.