Microsoft packs many innovative features in Windows 8

In the first 24 hours after Microsoft released Windows 8 Consumer Preview, it clocked 1 million downloads, which according to industry experts was ''not too bad'' for an operating system still in beta, not finished and not ready for a consumer retail shelf. But they add the software was available as a free download implying that could have something to do with the interest.

The Windows 8 development team announcing the huge number on Twitter yesterday said in a tweet, "One day later ... one million downloads of the consumer preview."

The Consumer Preview release, like the Developer Preview released in September, came as a step towards making Windows 8 and its touch-compatible user interface work with tablets, laptops and desktops later this year.

The software is being released partly to get developers to start using the new operating system and build apps that worked on touch-centric devices, as also with the traditional keyboard, mouse and trackpad.

However, though the software is not doubt targeted at developers, it is available to everyone for free download app builder or not.

With the "consumer preview" of Windows 8 on Wednesday, Microsoft has not only given a glimpse of a new OS, it has also showed that it could be a leader in touch-based user interface design as its tablet UI is not only  utilitarian, it is also innovative, and even cool.