Microsoft Unveils First Windows 8 TV Ad

Microsoft is starting its advertising campaign for Windows 8 with a TV ad less than two weeks before the new OS goes on sale.

The new Windows 8 ad shows off a few of the new features including the new start screen with live tiles, Xbox Music, and using gestures on an image to unlock the device. It also shows the wide variety of devices Windows 8 runs on including a desktop, laptop, convertible device and a tablet.

To show the features in the short 30 second spot Microsoft uses a lot of quick cuts with a catchy song playing over everything. There’s a lot of new ideas in Windows 8, and the ad shows a number of them, but can’t possibly show all of them in just 30 seconds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1GNDs7DCTw

Microsoft has another 11 days to communicate the features of WIndows 8 before it launches. This ad does help with that, as long as its accompanied by other ads that are more informative and less hectic.

Some stores like Best Buy already have Windows 8 machines on shelves to demonstrate the new OS. Users still have to wait to buy the devices, but they can see how to interact with Windows 8 through them.

Microsoft will also open a number of pop-up stores across the U.S. to show off Windows 8 and its Surface tablet. The Windows RT version of Surface will go on sale on October 26 alongside Windows 8, though Microsoft still hasn’t announced a price for the device.

Windows 8 will see a number of new devices from manufacturers like Lenovo, Dell, and Acer. Users who don’t want to buy a new device can upgrade a Windows 7 device to Windows 8 for $39.99.