Windows 8 Consumer Preview Coming On February 29

Posted 02/08/2012 at 12:03pm | by Brad Chacos

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So, what do you think about that new Metro interface in Windows 8? If you ask ten geeks that question, you'll end up with ten different answers -- and a lot of them won't be positive. Up until this point, however, we could only base our opinions on blog updates from the Windows team and a far from fully functional Developer Preview build. Prepare to become much better informed soon, though: Microsoft just announced that it will roll out the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on February 29th at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Microsoft will hold an event at the show between 3 P.M. and 5 P.M. local time to celebrate the kick off. If you're a one-size-Windows-fits-all naysayer, the fact that Microsoft decided to roll out the new build at a cellphone conference will probably only increase your heart palpitations.

On the plus side, The Verge managed to get ahold of a list of Metro-style apps that will likely be included in the Consumer Preview:

• Camera
• Messaging
• Mail
• Calendar
• SkyDrive
• People
• Photos
• Video
• Music

The "Microsoft Store" -- similar to Apple's App Store or the Android Market -- will also be included, and yesterday The Verge reported that several games will likely be available for purchase at launch. (Pinball and Solitaire are also rumored to come pre-included with the Preview.) They are:

• Hydro Thunder
• Toy Soldiers
• Reckless Racing
• Angry Birds
• Ilomilo
• Rocket Riot
• Full House Poker
• Tentacles
• Crash Course
• Ms Splosion Man
• Wordament

A Release Candidate is also planned for launch prior to the full-scale release of Windows 8.Any thoughts on the rumored release lineup or the timing of the launch? Will you be taking the Windows 8 Consumer Preview for a test drive?