Windows 8 ‘sign in’ will offer extras

Windows 8 is just around the corner, and the hype is beginning to build. According to reports, Windows 8 will prompt every user to sign in with a Microsoft online account, which will link the computer to your own personalised account on the Microsoft servers.

While it sounds like a ‘big brother' tactic, there are benefits with the system, because it will keep settings and configurations and be able to use them between machines authorised with the same log in information.

Brier Dudley at the Seattle Times published that among all the talking points, this one appears to have been missed.

He writes “You won't have to sign in this way, and you'll still be able to operate the PC as you do today.

But if you decline the digital handshake, Windows 8 won't do some of its cooler tricks, such as the ability to sign in to any Windows 8 computer and have it display and run your settings and applications.

You'll also miss out on new “Metro” style applications designed for its new tiled interface and file-sharing capabilities.

Microsoft really is boldly re-imagining Windows, and not just for mobile devices that will challenge the iPad.”

This has been confirmed before by Satya Nadella, Microsoft Server and Tools President, who said “In today's world of connected devices and continuous services, we are focused on helping developers build the next generation of client applications that are tethered to a back-end cloud.”

There will obviously be some negative fall out from a portion of the potential customer base, who might feel that being connected to Microsoft all the time is somewhat intrusive and perhaps might even be a cause for security and privacy concerns. Thankfully, it appears this isn't forced and the operating system can be used without the sign in requirement.

Kitguru says: A good idea?

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