The Windows 8 Release Preview has gone live after being rumored for a May 31 release, a day ahead of Microsoft's promised first-week-of-June window. The Preview is largely similar to the Consumer Preview but, halfway through the year, feels more like an operating system ready for release while bringing updated apps.

Flash

As previously reported, Flash is now built into Windows 8 from the Release Preview. Microsoft backed HTML5, but later said Flash was integral to the Web. In IE 10, Flash is limited to select Web sites - which Microsoft lists - to ensure performance is consistent. However, the desktop version of IE 10 uses Flash fully.

Mouse and Keyboard Gestures

Microsoft has partnered with Synapse to bring gestures to trackpads that previously didn't support gestures - for example, swiping from the right brings up the Charms menu. The Verge reported in its hands-on of the software that the alpha build of the program has "plenty of bugs and problems" though it added gesture support made switching from laptops to tablets easier.

The Verge also asked Microsoft how it intends to help users discover gestures, and the company said it's "working on it." Director of program management for Windows 8, Gabe Aul, added research has shown users discover most of the gestures within an hour of use.

Updated Apps

Regarding apps, the Windows Store has been widely opened which should mean more apps begin to feature. Wikipedia built a Metro app which allows the online encyclopedia to be searched from anywhere, while Microsoft has updated three apps: Sports, Travel and News. The apps fit text to the screen and break up the text with images, and are "solid examples of how Metro apps should work" according to The Verge.

Other changes are the ability to pin an e-mail account to the Start Screen, and the People app shows a feed similar to Facebook's with friend activity. Zune Pass is integrated into the Music app, which is effectively unlimited streaming, and comes with 30 days free after installing Windows 8. Whether this is the first step towards Microsoft's new music service remains to be seen.

Windows 8 is still confirmed for 2012, with no firm release date from Microsoft.

Hardware Requirements, Availability

Hardware requirements for Windows 8 are a 1GHz processor, between 1-2GB of RAM, 16-20GB of available hard drive space, a DirectX 9-compatible video card and a minimum screen resolution of 1024x768.

Download the 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows 8 here.