Tech

Windows 8 pre-installed apps outed

Published Wednesday, Feb 8 2012, 18:45 GMT | By Mark Langshaw | 8 comments

Microsoft's Windows 8 pre-installed apps have been outed ahead of the operating system's Consumer Preview.

The company plans to bundle the communication tools Mail, Calendar, People, and Messaging with the OS, along with other applications.

Camera, Calendar, SkyDrive, Photos, Videos, and Music have also been confirmed by several sources. All apps will be updatable via the Windows Store, and more could be added before the Consumer Preview build is released, The Verge reports.

Microsoft is reportedly working to integrate SMS support for the Messaging app, which will not be Windows Live-branded. Music and Video currently bear the Zune branding, but will appear under the Xbox Live for Windows umbrella in the final build.

The platform holder has also developed an Xbox Live Companion application, which may be incorporated as a pre-loaded programme prior to launch.

Windows 8 was unveiled at the Build developers' conference in California last year. A mobile version of the operating system, called Windows 8 Metro, will launch alongside its desktop counterpart.

Microsoft will roll out its Windows 8 Consumer Preview later this month.

Watch a first look at Windows 8 below: