Windows 7 debuted with much acclaim.  Critics commended it for major steps forward in design and reliability over its predecessors.

Now that Windows 7 is firmly established, the technology world looks curiously to Windows 8.  What innovations can we expect to see?  What will remain the same, and what will change?

Windows 8 is not scheduled for release until 2012, and though details are still a bit hazy, here’s a summary of the information we know today.

Interface:

Perhaps the most noticeable difference in Windows 8 will be its interface.  Windows 8 will align itself with the “ribbon” interface that was first introduced in Office 2007.  The interface will make extensive use of icons and tabbing, allowing more information to be initially displayed, and easier navigation of that information.

Though the “ribbon” interface will be used throughout the operating system, it will be most evident in Windows Explorer, which will see a full redesign to incorporate the new approach to navigation.

Processors:

Tablet computers are a big emerging market, and Microsoft has announced that Windows 8 will not only support mainstream Intel and AMD processors, but also processors that can be found in tablet and mobile devices.  This means Windows 8 will have a much broader support base, and be able to grow with consumer computing trends.

Check back next week for part two of our Windows 8 sneak peek!