Microsoft shows Windows 8, is this the future of computing?

Microsoft has this week given users a taste of what the next version of Windows will look like with a new video showing the Windows Phone 7 inspired design.

The new look builds upon what Windows 7 brought, but features a look similar to what’s available on the new Microsoft phones. Designed for all computers – desktops, laptops, and tablets – the new dashboard style looks to take advantage of touchscreens by allowing you to flick easily between programs, surf the web with your fingers, and read the news while watching videos.

While we don’t yet have a release date for the new operating system, it’s expected we’ll start seeing computers with Windows 8 start hitting retail in 2012.