The Windows 8 release date is Oct. 26^th, 2012 and is approaching soon. Microsoft customers who are using XP, Vista and 7 will now experience a tablet OS. If you are thinking of migrating from Windows 7 to Windows 8 , and are looking for a review of Windows 8 features you have come to the right place. The Metro UI and Apps are the most “trendy” talk of the town.

Let’s see the less talked about “value”, the networking features in Windows 8. GuidingTech discovers two new features while exploring the Windows 8 Network and Sharing Center: Airplane Mode and Metered Connection. The main aim of these two core networking features is to target the Windows 8 tablet devices.

Airplane Mode

First of all, I was not aware of what it meant! But when I read what it means, it really meant useful. In simple terms, Airplane Mode switches off all the wireless and radio connection of your smartphone or tablet device. So you must be thinking of cleverness of the idiot who coined this term! When you are in an Airplane, the flight attendants ask you to switch of your mobile phones/smart phones so that your cellular frequency does not interfere with the navigational systems of the plane there by not causing any damage to the plane. This is sometimes also called offline mode (like in Nokia phones).

Then why smartphones are called “smart”? As an avid listener of music and watcher of videos you would like to play with your offline content present in the tablet, mobile device or smartphone. This is where the Airplane Mode comes into existence. Using this mode, you can also avoid incoming calls during productive work hours!

Since Windows 8 networking is not only designed for desktops, laptops but also tablets as well which have Wi-fi via 3G and Bluetooth, Airplane mode becomes a necessity of sort for this OS. So now your curiosity is increased on how to activate this Airplane mode. Isn’t it?

How to Activate the Airplane mode in Windows 8?

1. Open the Windows 8 Charms bar (Move the mouse cursor to the upper right corner and wait for the Charms bar to initiate) or Press Winkey+I

2. Then select Settings from the Charms bar and then select Change PC settings option located at the bottom.

3. This will launch PC Settings under Metro Control panel. Under PC Settings, you can select the Wirelessmenu from the left pane.

4. You will get an option “Airplane mode” on the right side navigation pane. You just need to slide the slider to the right side to turn “Offline mode” in Windows 8. Here you can also turn on any other “Wireless devices” just by moving the slider to the right.

Metered Connection

Though this networking feature has evolved keeping in mind the tablet users, it can be useful to you if you are using limited mobile network to connect to the Internet. Metered Connection helps you to use your Internet resources like bandwidth resourcefully. To activate this feature, you just need to use the right-click menu after a network connection is established.

Once this is activated, Windows 8 will not use this network connection to either update itself or any of the Metro apps installed on the Start Screen. You can also change the Windows 8 Metered Connection settings from the “PC Settings” screen. The navigation is the same as mentioned earlier for Airplane Mode, but only you need to go to Deviceson the left pane to change the settings. However the screenshots make look little different when compared to Windows 8 Release Preview and Consumer Preview.

Windows 8 networking features are not restricted to Airplane mode and Metered Connection. Windows 8 features mobile broadband connectivity, both 3G and 4G along with Wi-Fi. Microsoft has also developed an in-box mobile broadband driver after collaborating with various mobile hardware vendor devices. Windows 8 users will be able to see Universal Wireless Connectivity. The list is endless.

About the Author : Karri Avinash is a Microsoft enthusiast with latest tech trendy articles on his blog. He supports his Uncle Palla Ramarao in writing reviews about Windows products like Windows 8, Office 2013, Outlook.com, Windows 7 bsod errors and Surface tablet. Palla Ramarao, the main writer is a Civil Engineer, Software Engineer and Blogger by part-time.