Microsoft’s annual developer conference on Tuesday witnessed the company handing out 5,000 sleek Samsung tablet computers equipped with a test version of Windows 8 - the temporary code name for the software giant’s next operating system which boasts special features customized for touchscreens as well as tablet devices.

The handing out of the Windows 8-based Samsung tablets by Microsoft clearly indicates that the software-maker is looking to stir up consumers’ excitement over its new software system, so as to prevent them from switching to the Apple iPad.

Despite the fact that Microsoft’s software still runs over 90 percent of the personal computers, the company is nonetheless banking on the new Windows 8 operating system to tempt the developers – who have already taken to Apple and Google’s Android - satisfactorily enough so that they end up developing thousands of applications for attracting the users.

In addition, analysts are also of the opinion that Microsoft needs to make efforts to entice a younger, tech-savvy audience and stall the advance of Apple devices into what essentially happens to be the Microsoft business market.

Noting that “kids today are seeing more Apple logos than Microsoft logos,” Gartner analyst Michael Silver - who attended the Microsoft developer conference – said: “Microsoft needs to change that if they are going to continue being the force that they have been.”