Many of these features were adapted from Windows Phone. In particular, these changes included a touch-optimized Windows shell and start screen based on Microsoft's Metro design language, integration with online services, the Windows Store, and a new keyboard shortcut for screenshots. Windows 8 introduced major changes to the operating system's platform and user interface with the intention to improve its user experience on tablets, where Windows competed with mobile operating systems such as Android and iOS. Nearly three months after its initial release, it finally made its first retail appearance on October 26, 2012. It was released to manufacturing on August 1, 2012, and was made available for download via MSDN and TechNet on August 15, 2012. Windows 8 is a major release of the Windows NT operating system developed by Microsoft.
