So after getting to grips with the missing start button, the metro UI and grappling with where Microsoft have moved some system features I have to admit I like the new Windows 8 concept, design and application store. Sure we have a raft of more tests to do but my first thoughts on why this is going to be a great hit with consumers are highlighted below. And lets face it consumers typically win meaning businesses need to to start their testing now.
Windows 8 was downloaded over 1 million times in the first 24 hours the beta version was made available. And we believe that the are a number of key features that will make the latest Windows release so enticing to consumers and the enterprise.
- Touch
- Keyboard and mouse control
- Windows 8 application store
- PCs and Windows Phone integration with cloud services.
This latest release of Windows is indeed a bold move but pulls tougher the BYO-3 relationship of Phone, Tablet and Laptop very nicely.
One of the most compelling parts of Windows 8 is the Windows Store. This application store follows the Metro style that allows for easy browsing and viewing on your Xbox 360 and Windows phones.
There are new ways of switching between apps, as well as more updates to the desktop tools. There are changes under the bonnet to file copying, power management, security, networking, hardware support and more.
The improved touch gestures also make it far easier to work with. Swipe from the right edge of the screen and you get the redesigned charm bar providing Search, Share, Start, Devices and Settings.Or you can hover your mouse in the top or bottom right corners. Swipe up from the bottom on the Start screen to get a quick link to the All Apps view.
Start, which is highlighted in the colour theme you choose on install, swaps between the Start screen and your last activity. Search is now context sensitive.
As you swipe across the Start menu, it stops with the group of tiles you've swiped to line up under Start; this is the promised 'speed bump' to help you navigate around. Scrolling with a mouse works far better - if you push the mouse past the edge of the screen, the tiles scroll as if you were swiping with your finger.
The zoom feature now works too; pinch to shrink the tiles on the Start screen to tiny thumbnails so you can see everything at once or move an entire group.
Switching between apps is better.
You can close Metro apps without restoring to the task manager. Drag down from the top of the screen until the app you're looking at shrinks down to a thumbnail and keep dragging that off the screen to close it.
Notifications in Metro work well; they pop up in the top right corner of the screen where they're not likely to be in the way and you can tap for options.
The metro apps is a great feature of Windows 8. They are fast to launch, crisp and responsive and there are already useful apps in the store such as Evernote.
The messaging app makes good use of the size of a PC screen to show you multiple conversations on Facebook and Windows Live.
The Windows 8 desktop has addressed many of the frustrations of Windows 7 but there is one thing that’s just not there… the start button!
This was a big and bold move by Microsoft. And is available if you hover on the left hand corner of the screen and when you click it; you guessed it, it’s back to the Metro UI.
To get quick access to desktop tools without going back to the Start screen, right-click in the left-hand corner to get a pop up menu which contains: Search, Run, Explorer, Task Manager, Control Panel and many others.
If you use a Windows Live account to log in, you automatically get your contacts, calendar and messages.
The Consumer Preview proves that Windows 8 isn't all about touch. The improvements to the desktop are good and will make navigation easier.
All in all a good release from Microsoft which shows their intention around both touch and none touch devices. We would be interested to see your thoughts on the release.
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