Microsoft says it designed Windows 8, reviewed, to work across all devices, from the tiny screen of a smartphone right up to the biggest PC monitor. The tiled interface does this job pretty well, but as I've said before, Windows 8 on the desktop feels very much like two OSes in one.
Windows 8
I've been using Windows 8 as my main OS for a good five months now, and almost never use the new Start screen. It's partly because there's no need to, apart from launching the odd app for which I don't have a desktop shortcut, and partly due to the fact that there are still no killer apps in the Windows Store to persuade me to ditch the desktop equivalent.
A bigger issue, though, is that the two halves of Windows 8 on the desktop aren't integrated in any meaningful way. It's obvious that this is a deliberate decision on Microsoft's part as live tiles could easily have been introduced to the traditional desktop to merge the old and new.
Already, hacks are appearing to bring back the old Windows 7 Start menu, but Windows 8 could have had an updated Start menu with live tiles and 'Charms'. Alternatively, live tiles could have been made a part of the desktop itself (anyone remember Active Desktop?), or displayed on a sidebar as the old Gadgets were.
It all points to a future where, perhaps even in Windows 9, the desktop will be relegated to history and users will be forced to rely on new-style apps. That approach may be a mistake, as apps (just like the modern UI itself) are designed for touch operation, which means big buttons, icons and text.
It seems pretty unlikely that millions of PC users will upgrade their monitors to touchscreens any time soon, or that anyone will really use their new touchscreen laptop or all-in-one PC once the novelty wears off - and arm ache sets in.
What this means is that the humble keyboard and mouse will remain the way that people interact with their PC. App designers would do well to bear this in mind, as well as to make sure their apps don't only deliver a 'dumbed-down' feature set. PCs are more powerful than a tablet or smartphone and I for one don't simply want a bunch of tablet-style apps which don't offer the power or control that existing programs do.
Windows 8 may or may not be a great success on tablets, smartphones and other touchscreen devices, but here's hoping that Windows 9 doesn't drive loyal Windows users to Mac OS instead.
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Comments
Nicholas said: Zero chance of driving me to the mac - more likely LinuxI keep reading reviews and comments about windows 8 I keep wondering what all the fuss is about It works great And I for one dont miss the start button Id generally been using the windows key anyway only now the start menu is bigger and easier to use Shock and horror - even with a mouse
cyteck said: The problem is that humans DONT LIKE CHANGE full stop BUT NOT ALL change is for the better Meaning NOT all new versions of a product ARE better or represent a step change forwards Windows 8 IMO is a schitzophrenic operating system its a product with an acute identity crisis its neither one thing nor another Microsoft made a major mistake here they should have and easily could have made two versions of windows one a touch-centric OS and second a non touch desktop OS There is nothing compelling in Windows 8 to convince me to ditch my Windows 7 pro 64bit system Enough said I think
Kjrider said: You can always head off to Ubuntu
Nap said: Mt Martins comments are right on the button on every point At the very least Microsoft should accept windows 7 as the Desktop alternative and continue to support it
Tim Staffell said: Ive been using 8 for months too and as Ive gradually got used to it Ive just found that for me the tiles are pretty much an irrelevanceI use 2 monitors and the second monitor hosts the Desktop with the necessary shortcuts to the software I use I dont play gamesif I want News I access the relevant Websites Whats the point of Apps Its the same on my iPad Its just a glorified e-reader For me computer is a tool NOT an entertainment centre In my view both Apple and Windows and probably Linux are heading in the wrong direction Windows 8 Tiles and Mac iOS ought to be television Interfaces
Jeremy C said: Mike E Delta Thank you Windows 8 is what it is Its like these tech pundits just turned on theirs PC for thefirsttime 6 mos ago Theyre all waiting for The Next Greatest Thing but then cling to the old ways As far as the actual OS goes its fast secure and geezdid I mention its fastAs far as the article is concerned im not that sure how you can NOT use the modern UI if you took the hour to learn it instead of bypassing it it can be much faster than using the old start button Soo 2008 and is by far more functional So if we look at the big picture weve got a next generation videogame console coming using this kernel if not the current generation Windows 8 RT and WP 8 are out and are all sharing the same kernel as wellpretty cool as a computer science major this is exciting stuff People this is technology progression Get with it
Mike E. Delta said: Typical everyone is just waiting for someone ELSE to do everything for themIm going to take my battles to the develeopment scene where these guys need to get n making these apps Having a workspace on Window 8 is definitely a benefit to mobile computing but I no longer consider this to be the desktop as we knew it It is definitely time to LET IT GO Is everyone SO desperate to cling to doing things the same way fro the rest of their lives Oh it has worked so well You have to let it go The music industry could not cope the TV and mmovie industry is having a hard time adjustingthe times They ARE changinglet it go If you dont like how it is going you need to then have a better impact by creating this and not simply join everyone who is simply commiserating Make a quality offering it is not these articles
Paul Booth said: I would agree with that assessment Ive been using for months now too and I like the style of 8 anddefinitelythe performance but the Metro apps are mostly useless on a PClaptop to the point Ive un-installed most of themNow the start screen is just a big app launcher and actually quite aconvenient one but trips there last less than a second usuallyThe option to use tabletphone apps is welcome its all about choice But for the most part they are feature lacking and just plain bad compared to the desktop versions so why would youI enjoy the good things that it brings and just ignore the minor features presented