Windows 8 Preview

**gadgetmonger** · 06-02-2011, 09:11 AM

Microsoft provided a preview of Windows 8 with the new "Metro" look.

YouTube link.

Some features of the new interface:

• Fast launching of apps from a tile-based Start screen, which replaces the Windows Start menu with a customizable, scalable full-screen view of apps.
• Live tiles with notifications, showing always up-to-date information from your apps.
• Fluid, natural switching between running apps.
• Convenient ability to snap and resize an app to the side of the screen, so you can really multitask using the capabilities of Windows.
• Web-connected and Web-powered apps built using HTML5 and JavaScript that have access to the full power of the PC.
• Fully touch-optimized browsing, with all the power of hardware-accelerated Internet Explorer 10.

**Mann** · 06-02-2011, 12:20 PM

it's interesting that it's built for use on tablets and PCs as well. regarding the swiping movements, it's easy to do on tablets, wonder how easy and intuitive it would be to use mouse/keyboards. i like the RSS integration though.

**JMacalinao** · 06-02-2011, 01:14 PM

Laptops with touchpads will be easy too - just put multi-touch gestures. Imagine using Windows 8 on a MacBook; now that would be pretty interesting.

**charls17** · 06-02-2011, 01:29 PM

I really like how it's all integrated and there's a windows 7 like interface underneath.ü

**yzane** · 06-02-2011, 02:09 PM

interesting. I don't know but it still seems a little stiff. The final product should amaze

**akuma666** · 06-02-2011, 04:02 PM

not bad, but not great either.

**fcdiesta** · 06-02-2011, 08:56 PM

Trying to steal Lion's thunder (or is it roar)?

I must admit, it looks good, but I'm really not a fan of the "tiled" UI, even on the Windows Mobile platform. Let's wait and see what Apple comes up with during the OS X Lion preview at the WWDC to counter this.

**jsg123** · 06-02-2011, 09:07 PM

Metro UI inspired, no doubt. We all have to thank the Zune for Microsoft's design transformation!

**raypin** · 06-02-2011, 10:06 PM

mmmm.....early days but the final build (RTM) is what I'm looking for. Anticipating that this would be the perfect update for my Acer Iconia.

**booblanco** · 06-02-2011, 11:49 PM

i suppose the GUI will work for people used to working with a bulletin board of post-it notes like the developers in the video. to others like me, it would just seem like wall clutter.

maybe i'm just used to OS X's minimalist zen thing.