Microsoft revealed earlier this month that users have downloaded 36 million copies of Internet Explorer 9 since its beta release in September. The software maker launched its final development milestone version of Internet Explorer 9 on February 10. Microsoft's Internet Explorer 9 includes an enhanced UI, HTML5 support, hardware accelerated browsing and some great security improvements. Microsoft has included Tracking Protection in Internet Explorer 9. The new privacy feature allows consumers to address their concerns about being tracked on the web. Internet Explorer 9 offers users a new opt-in mechanism to identify and block many forms of undesired tracking such as cookies, web beacons, advertisements and trackers. Tracking protection involves lists that can be published online. Microsoft's second security enhancement is the ability to block ActiveX controls. Internet Explorer 9 includes an "ActiveX filter" option. The filter allows users to switch off ActiveX elements within their session, furthering Microsoft's commitment to security within its browser.

Microsoft's latest browser includes some great improvements for end users too. Improved tabbing, pinning and HTML5 support will make the web more beautiful claims Microsoft. The software giant has partnered with some big names to show off just what Internet Explorer 9 is capable off and it's likely that hundreds more will follow in the coming months. Microsoft isn't stopping at Internet Explorer 9 though. The company plans to bring its improvements to the mobile space. Windows Phone 7 will include a mobile version of IE9 later this year. The company will also ship regular Platform Previews to keep developers ready for the next versions of Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer 9 is just the start.

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Rumors suggest that Microsoft may introduce Windows 8 ARM based tablets ahead of a full desktop release. Microsoft has previously showed off a very early version of Windows 8 running on ARM hardware, but that version of the software looked and behaved identically to its predecessor, Windows 7. Apparently, the June demo will utilize an "Apple-like" design for the interface, which will also use elements of the "Metro" user interface from Windows Phone 7.

Microsoft's CEO Steve Ballmer has been extensively criticized by industry analysts for not getting tablets right inspite of having introduced them in 2001. And now, they have been completely eclipsed by Apple's IPad. If the Windows 8 tablet is available for the coming holidays, and it executes perfectly, they have a chance to get back in the game. If, however, they have to wait until late 2012, then Apple et al will be so far ahead it would be doubtful if Microsoft could catch up.

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Where do I start? Let's begin with Windows 8 being a touch first operating system. Mouse and keyboard use is now a second class citizen. As a power user who does most of his work on a desktop PC with a 28 inch screen, touch does little for me. I sit two and a half feet from my monitor. I can barely reach it. I need a convenient mouse and keyboard experience. Windows 8 doesn't give me one. It's going backwards.

Windows 8 is a total admission of the defeat of creativity. Rather than address the limitations of Windows 7 and improve on it, they have completely abandoned it. I simply don't get it. Doesn't Microsoft have any professionals who use the OS to get work done? This seems to be another case of Microsoft being tone deaf to the vast majority of users which are PC users — not tablet users.

Microsoft appears to be obsessed with the phone and tablet market, even though, they have heretofore failed miserably in these areas. Meanwhile, their bread and butter (i.e. Windows and Office franchises) are being thrown in the garbage heap. Don't get me wrong, Windows 8 looks like an adequate phone or tablet OS, but it's designed to cater to 12-year olds consuming content with a bit of interaction on Facebook. I am a professional who uses a PC to create content and analyze information. As such, I need a professional-grade OS. Apple recognizes these things and doesn't try to be all things to all people with one OS. They have the ios for phones and tablets and OS X for the PC. Microsoft wants one OS to be all things to all people. Apple's stock has increased over 10 fold in the last ten years. Microsoft's stock has declined. I wonder who has it right — Jobs or Ballmer?

My impressions are not alone. Research analysts at IDC released their "Worldwide System Infrastructure Software 2012 Top 10 Predictions" recently. Prediction number 10 is: "Windows 8 will launch with split success," according to IDC. "Windows 8 will be largely irrelevant to the users of traditional PCs, and we expect effectively no upgrade activity from Windows 7 to Windows 8 in that form factor."

IDC's predictions mirror concern from Forrester Research who earlier published a report warning that Microsoft's tablet strategy was too late and that the public no longer cares about its tablet.

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Microsoft is said to be working on the third milestone of the upcoming Windows 8 operating system. If we look back, Milestone 3 was the last step before Microsoft moved to beta builds of Windows 7 and it is likely that the Redmond company has intentions to stay true to the development process. Windows 7 Milestone 3 appeared in September 2008 for the first time, 13 months before the final release of the operating system. If we take that as a measure, Windows 8 could be ready in the first quarter of 2012, any maybe even earlier if Microsoft decides to release only one public beta before the release candidate. Windows 7 Beta was released January 2009, a good three months after the first Milestone 3 release. It could mean that we will see a first Windows 8 beta release in June or July 2011. That fits nicely with the supposed June demonstration of the Windows 8 ARM tablet.

What will Windows 8 look like? Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer says that Windows is changing: "Windows will look a lot different and it will run different applications" than it does in 2011. He also says Windows 8 is the biggest risk that Microsoft has ever taken.

Here's what what we hear on the grape vine about its looks. The primary Windows 8 interface is believed to be fully 3D. The interface will be "fully dynamic" and able to adapt to user habits. Icons and shortcuts will adapt to different usage scenarios to speed up daily tasks. Windows 8 is also rumored to include a new fast hibernation system. The system will hibernate in around three to six seconds and save all open documents and running tasks. Rumors suggest that Microsoft will create a dual-UI for Windows 8. A tile-based user interface codenamed "Mosh" will reportedly be included.

One highlight of Win 8 is that users will have cloud-based profiles and storage by default. This way, enterprise users could log onto any machine in their company and have access to their email, files and data without needing to lug around a laptop. Leaked screenshots show the user's profile pic in the system tray.

Other visual system improvements include progress meters for activity on the task bar, new themes and other features that would help the OS run better on tablet devices.

Given that Internet Explorer 9 has just launched, it may be surprising to some to hear that Windows 8 may well ship with IE10, a new touch-based browser. But this makes total sense. Windows 8 will support touch much more so that Windows 7. So it stands to reason that Internet Explorer will have to as well. Not only will this help Microsoft unify its presence across desktop and tablets, but the browser war is back on and Microsoft can't be seen to be lagging behind again.

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With regard to the social collaboration, we hear that Microsoft is planning Facebook chat integration straight into the office products. In some office products, like Excel, this probably won't be that useful. However, integrating it straight into products like Outlook and Lync will be quite interesting. Large corporations tend to block social networking sites like Facebook and having them baked straight into their primary productivity application could be a problem. Consumers, on the other hand, would likely welcome the change if implemented well. For example, you could use Outlook as your main tool for communication with the added bonus of full social integration.

With regard to look and feel, Outlook screenshots that reveal Microsoft is planning to implement a Metro UI across its next Office product. For example, the Outlook UI is flatter and no longer seems cluttered and provides users with direct access to their mail in a simple and yet familiar way.

Microsoft's Metro design language is an internal code name for a typography-based design languages created and used by the company. Microsoft originally started using Metro in Media Center and showcased a full version in the company's Zune products. Microsoft's latest mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7, also features the Metro look and feel throughout. Microsoft has started to use the Metro UI on more of its web properties to produce a clean, fast and simple look.

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