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Synchronisation with smartphones using Windows Phone is also available. Browser tabs are synchronized, and in case you have to go out and need the open websites, they will be available on your smartphone and you will not have to open them again. However, we will have to wait for the new version of Windows Phone in order to be able to use this functionality. The service is similar to that of Google Chrome, which has been able to synchronize the tabs between a desktop and mobile Chrome browser for quite some time already.

New applications and other improvements

A calculator and alarm clock suitable for use with fingers have already been added.

Other improvements concern mainly the “Modern UI / Metro” environment and they are targeted to the users of hybrid devices and tablets. The virtual keyboard provides suggestions for correction of words entered, allowing you to slide them sideways with your finger if you want to see more suggestions. The control panel in “Metro” has been improved and it features more options that were available only from the traditional control panel which required its opening in the traditional desktop environment. Bearing in mind the fact that it is not optimized for finger use, these settings were very uncomfortable and annoying.

The camera application allows you to shoot panoramic photos. The help and support application has been developed that is helpful to new users.

Here is the whole presentation from the first day of Build 2013:

Windows 8.1 - a step forward or continuing in the wrong direction?

The direction cannot be wrong, the users have received the tablets and smartphones very well, and the use of the touch screen is so natural that it appears suitable for small children and elderly people who have no experience with computers instead of being perceived as an obstacle. These kinds of devices have been able to shift the attention from the traditional desktop and notebook computers whose sales have started to decline. Microsoft was late for the party and decided to appear, belatedly but spectacularly, by starting to merge the desktop and mobile working environment. The shock has had a somewhat premature impact on the users who use Windows for work.

The new elements developed for touch screens were unsuitable for traditional personal computers. Microsoft had expected a higher prevalence of touch screen including desktop users as well as faster introduction of hybrid devices that combine notebooks and tablets. This did not happen and the first hybrid version of the Windows operating system was received with mixed feelings. The second attempt is aimed at wiping out the bad impressions of the users but, as we see, the innovations have been focused on touch-screen devices. To the regret of Microsoft, the market share for these type of devices is modest at present. The company hopes to change the situation by launching 8-inch screen tablets which can operate with Windows 8.1.

For the users of traditional desktop computers and notebooks without touch screen, the new version has a start button and offers the option of starting the operating system directly from the desktop without using “Metro”. Many of the users' demands have been ignored. Apparently, the company from Redmond has focused its main efforts on the market of touch-screen devices. It remains to be seen whether it is wise for the company to ignore the market that is bringing in the main part of its revenue and make this risky move to change.

The new test version of Windows 8.1 can be downloaded from the website of Microsoft.