Microsoft unveils new Windows 8 operating system

Microsoft has taken the wraps off the next generation of its Windows operating system.

Windows 8 is designed to run on tablet computers, as well as desktop and laptop PCs.

The software, which is due to be released in 2012 will work on the popular ARM-designed low power processors for the first time.

Unveiling Windows 8 at the Build developers' conference in California, Windows division president Steven Sinofsky said: "We re-imagined Windows. From the chipset to the user experience."