How does Windows 8 change the tablet OS market?

When Microsoft® first announced the development of its dual-natured Windows® 8, there was a great deal of enthusiasm, especially as it pertained to the tablet computer. Now, with the hype settling down and Windows 8 still months away, some are wondering exactly what the operating system will bring to the technology.

News provider PC Magazine suggests that Windows 8 could make the operating system more relevant in the tablet market. To date, one OS has dominated that tablet space -- Apple's iOS. Others have tried to compete, but none has made much of a dent in Apple's armor so far.

Windows 8 could change that. Microsoft's software is already the most widely used in the traditional PC space, so familiarity is a big advantage. Windows users, PC Magazine asserts, also tend to be more conscious of the software they're using than Apple® customers, perhaps bringing more relevance to the OS.

Microsoft is in an unusual position in the tablet industry, where it is on the outside looking in. The market is a fiercely competitive one, and not even a big name guarantees success. If Microsoft hopes to thrive in this space, its software will need to bring something new to the table.