Fire Alarms Systems

Build conference in Anaheim shows developers next version and 'Windows Store' for programs - but Microsoft will choose whether apps for tablets are approved

Furthermore, applications for the ARM version of Windows 8 will only be available through the "Windows Store" - and only apps compiled to use its "Metro" touch interface will appear there.

The tablet side, called Metro, is a new user interface built from the ground up for touch control, and borrowing from the design used for Windows Phone 7. Instead of a Start menu with small icons, Windows 8 has chunky tiles, used both for launching applications and to display information. Run a Metro app and it fills the entire screen - a style Microsoft calls the immersive user interface.

Another feature demonstrated was integration with social media and cloud services. We were shown how Microsoft's cloud brings together contacts from different sources such as Facebook and Windows Live, and how Microsoft's SkyDrive storage lets you share content.

Metro is new, though; so what about all the existing Windows applications?