Modern-style Firefox for Windows 8 pushed back to March

Mozilla is making Windows 8 users wait a couple months longer for a modern-style version of Firefox.

The touch-optimized browser had been set to launch on January 21, with the release of Firefox 27; now Mozilla is pushing back touch optimization to Firefox 28, a delay of six weeks. Add in the two-week vacation that Mozilla decided to grant employees last month, and the projected release date is now March 18.

Mozilla has been working on a modern-style version of Firefox for almost two years, and has even released experimental versions of the browser as part of its nightly builds. But development has been repeatedly delayed, and last fall Mozilla wasn’t even certain whether it would release the modern-style version.

“Whether or not the Metro Preview Release will graduate from Aurora to Beta and Release channels is still to be determined,” Mozilla said in notes from a planning meeting in September. It’s unclear whether this attitude has changed, but for now, Mozilla is aiming at a February 4 beta release before launching the stable version in mid-March.

For now, Windows 8 tablet users have no good alternatives to Internet Explorer. IE11 is a fine browser, especially with the improvements Microsoft made in Windows 8.1, but it’s nice to have a choice, and Firefox’s bookmark syncing is helpful if you’re also using Firefox on Android, Mac, or an older version of Windows.

Google already offers a modern-style version of Chrome, but it’s barely different from the desktop version and doesn’t support pinch-to-zoom. An overhauled version of Chrome that mimics the interface of a Chromebook is in beta now, and should reach the stable channel later this month.

Windows 8 share of the desktop OS market grew slowly

Windows 8 share of the desktop OS market grew slowly last month relative to a surge in new users in June.

Windows 8 gained 0.3 percent market share in July, bringing its share to 5.4 percent overall, according to figures from web analytics company Net Applications. Following the launch of the OS in October last year, Windows 8 market share has been edging up by less than one percent each month, but last month's growth rate is down from June, when its share increased 0.83 percent.

While Windows 8 has only been installed on just over one in 20 PCs and tablets according to the figures, some analysts believe adoption of the OS will grow following the release of Windows 8.1this year.

Desktop OS market share in July 2013. Image: Net Applications

The 8.1 release will address criticisms about the usability of Windows 8 new tile-based interface, which some users of older Windows systems found confusing. The update will bring back the Start Button and make other UI tweaks, as well as introducing the ability to boot to the desktop and Internet Explorer 11.

Microsoft's Surface tablet, its flagship Windows 8 device, generated $853m between its launch and the end of June, less than the $900m writedown Microsoft took due to a Surface RT "inventory adjustment".

Windows 8 predecessor, Windows 7, shows little movement in desktop market share, continuing to hover around 45 percent, where it has been since the beginning of the year.

Share for the venerable but still popular Windows XP is also broadly static, at 37.19 percent, up 0.02 on last month. Vista's share continues to drop, down 0.38 points to 4.24 percent.

Windows is still found on 91.56 percent of desktops, according to the figures, while Linux OS had 1.25 percent share and Mac OS X 7.19 percent. The share for each OS is largely unchanged from June.

The Net Applications figures are based on data collected from 160 million unique website visitors.

Windows 8, one year later: 10 mistakes Microsoft made (and how they plan to fix things)

One year ago this week...

As beta programs go, Windows 8 seemed like a smashing success. The engineers and designers putting the new operating system together hit their deadlines like a finely tuned machine, and the code was ready to release to manufacturing one year ago this week, on August 1, 2012. Hardware partners had three full months to get their new PCs ready for what some hoped would be a big holiday season.

It didn't quite work out that way. The Windows 8 launch in New York City went well enough, but it was followed within days by two damaging events: Hurricane Sandy and the abrupt departure of Windows chief Steven Sinofsky.

Over the next few months it became clear that Windows 8 had arrived at a turning point in the PC industry, with consumers turning away from conventional PCs in favor of smaller tablets and mobile devices. In theory, the new operating system had anticipated this shift. In practice, it didn't quite work out that way.

Start Your Windows 8 Via Microsoft Mouse

Microsoft Mouse for Windows 8

The freshly unveiled Sculpt Comfort mouse has a blue, touch-sensitive button on its flank that bears the familiar Windows 8 logo.

Using your thumb, you'll be swiping around on this button to perform various Windows-themed tasks. Swiping up on the strip cycles through open apps, while swiping down shows you all the programs you have opened in a zoomed-out view.

You can press the button too, catapulting you back to the colourful, tile-centric Windows Start Screen.

If the Sculpt Comfort mouse is more luxurious than you feel your hands deserve, Microsoft is also flogging a cheaper option, dubbed the Sculpt Mobile mouse. This doesn't have the same touch-sensitive features, but still features a bespoke Windows button, nestled right underneath the scroll wheel.

The Sculpt Comfort mouse comes out in June for $40 (roughly £26.50), while the Mobile Mouse hits shelves in May for $30 (about £20). I've contacted Microsoft to check on a UK release date, but I'd be surprised if we didn't see this tiny tech treats worming their way into British shops.

Microsoft's Start button used to be the epicentre of the Windows world, but the software giant removed it in Windows 8, which launched last year. Rumours suggest that Ballmer and pals are primed to backtrack on that move though, and will reintroduce the convenient launcher in an update.

If you're struggling with Windows 8 and wish it looked a bit more familiar, check out our guide on making Windows 8 look like Windows 7.

Windows 8 sales off to brisk start

Microsoft Windows 8

Microsoft reports selling 40 million Windows 8 licenses, Gmail makes large file transfers easier, and several apps get a holiday makeover.

A Microsoft executive revealed that 40 million licenses of Windows 8 have been sold since it came out last month. These numbers include both consumers and manufacturers, so Windows 8 isn't in 40 million homes. But to compare, Windows 7 hit sales of 60 million the first two months. Some say Windows 8 is off to an awkward start, and there is a learning curve with the new system.

Also in today's tech news roundup:

- Gmail works with Google Drive to let users send 10GB files.

- Vimeo makes it easier to create and share videos on its new iPhone app.

- Skype's updated iOS app lets users connect with a Microsoft account.

- Rdio gave its streaming music player a new look on Android and iOS.

- Xbox has an update to fix issues with SmartGlass and Xbox Music.

- Outlook.com boasts 25 million active users and now has its own Android app.