The All-new Windows 8 is Unveiled by Microsoft

The long awaited Windows 8 was fully unveiled at the Windows Build Conference on Tuesday. It may have the start-bar-and-icon Desktop look that Windows users are familiar with, but as the crowd at Anaheim, California, saw, any similarities with Windows 7 end there.

The new system has a new, touchscreen-optimized interface called 'Metro,' which looks more like the Windows Phone operating system. That, industry experts believe, looks like the future of Microsoft Windows from here on.

The touch-optimized interface was all Stephen Sinofsky, President of Windows, and Julie Larson-Green, Corporate Vice President of Windows, were talking about when they showed off Windows 8 to developers at the conference.

They did not, however, say when the new operating system would be available to users. Speculation, however, points to some time in early 2012.

Options for using the operating system include two views: the PC-friendly classic Desktop View and the tablet and touchscreen-friendly Metro View. According to Mr Sinofsky, Windows 8 offers 'hundreds' of new features.

With the new system, notifications such as new email alerts, Wi-Fi availability and other user-chosen information will show up on the new lock screen. In the Metro view, users can scroll from side to side, much as they would on an iOS or Android phone, for different groups of applications.

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Naked Models Painted to Look Uncannily Like Wild Creatures

A photographer has created a bizarre exhibit featuring naked models being covered with body paint to look just like wild animals. Lennette Newell's daring pictures show models posing covered in paint as zebras, elephants, baboons and cheetahs next to their real life counterparts.

The San Francisco photographer's display, called 'Anti-Human' was devised out of Lennette's childhood desire to become one of the animals her father used to treat as a vet.

Her strikingly colourful set aims to mark the difference between humans and wild animals. All of Lennette's 'Anti-Human' collection pictures were taken in Los Angeles, California.

One of her eye-catching pictures shows a female model, Jasmina, painted in black and white next to a zebra, complete with black and white hair to accurately mimmick the majestic animal.

Another image shows another willing model, Kaela, posing in grey and brown paint, with a trunk painted down the centre of her body to replicate the appearance of Susie the African elephant next to her.

Her collection is completed with model Jasmina painted in snakeskin style print while Daisy the 12ft Burmese phython is wrapped around her. Meanwhile the same model later covers herself in a bronzed light brown paint with black spots while sat behind Tango the beautiful cheetah.

Apple's iPhone 5 Could Launch Worldwide on Oct 21

The word within the world of technology is that an October release for Apple's eagerly awaited iPhone handset is now almost certain, after continued silence from the company about when the handset will appear.

A screenshot submitted to American technology blog This Is My Next seems to confirm the day might well be October 21. The screenshot, sent to American blogger Chris Ziegler by an anonymous employee of the Best Buy electronics chain, which recently launched stores in the UK, shows an email sent to American Best Buy employees regarding an upcoming Apple launch.

It requests that a manager be present at 6am on October 21 to install a 'large Apple fixture' on the big screens in the American electronics store. The tantalising aspect to this detail is that 6am is the time at which Apple requested managers attend for the launch of iPhone 4 last year - also to install screens.

The Best Buy employee also revealed that an event was scheduled for October 10 for managers to discuss upcoming 'big releases' - which would fit with an iPhone 5 launch a fortnight later. Last year's iPhone 4 launch saw the device released in the UK and the US simultaneously, with other countries following rapidly afterwards.

Apple Loses Another 'Unreleased iPhone'

Apple has reportedly lost an unreleased iPhone prototype - potentially the iPhone 5 - in a bar for the second time in as many years.

Is a second incident too much of a coincidence to be anything other than an Apple stunt? Australian PR and marketing professionals say stunts like that are not in Apple's DNA and in any case, they weren't necessary for Apple to create buzz about its products.

Citing a source "familiar with the investigation", CNET reports that the unreleased iPhone went missing in late July at the Cava 22 "tequila lounge" in San Francisco's Mission district, sparking a scramble by security to recover the device.

Apple has not yet acknowledged the development of the iPhone 5 but a string of reports have said it will be unveiled in September or October. It is rumoured to feature a bigger 4-inch edge-to-edge display, better camera and a faster processor.

In a bizarrely similar occurrence, last year an Apple computer engineer missplaced a prototype iPhone 4 in a German beer garden. It was found and sold on to gadget blog Gizmodo for $US5000.

A warrant to search the home of the Gizmodo editor, Jason Chen, was obtained and prosecutors indicated they may charge him, but decided against this. However, the two men accused of selling him the prototype, Brian Hogan and Sage Wallower, are due to appear in court tomorrow.

Best Smartphone for Business

While most professionals know about the BlackBerry, the business phone that deserves more attention and runs on a familiar Microsoft platform is the Dell Venue Pro. This enterprise-focused smartphone, which is available for T-Mobile and AT&T subscribers, is an elegant-looking device with its 4.1-inch AMOLED display and slide-out keyboard. With sizable buttons and pronounced tactile feedback, the Dell Venue Pro is great for typing emails and taking extensive notes on the fly.

The phone’s Windows Phone 7 software may not be the most exciting mobile operating system, but it is arguably the most reliable. Further, if you or your business already run Windows products like Microsoft Office, the WP7 platform offers the most seamless integration. The Dell Venue Pro is currently the best device available on that platform, which also has its share of fun and games. When you're waiting for a flight at the airport or killing time between meetings, the Dell Venue Pro offers thousands of apps and even Xbox Live integration.

Of course, there is no denying that the BlackBerry is a top-dog for many business-focused smartphone users. With its robust operating system, advanced messaging capabilities, efficient keyboard and no-nonsense approach, manufacturer Research In Motion still has a strong grip on the corporate market. Another important benefit of BlackBerry smartphones is that they are available to customers of all major carriers including Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.

Increasingly, business users are also embracing iPhones and select Android devices. Just make sure to get the green light from your company’s technology managers before making the purchase.