Does anyone really dig the metro UI?

[BD2003]

I have to say, I really find the whole aesthetic direction windows and microsoft in general is going with their whole metro look well...just hideous. I never thought that in 2011 we'd be moving towards the simplest, most minimalist and just plain ugly UI I could ever have possibly imagined. We've got crazy 3D acceleration in even low end PCs now, and the best they could come up with is colored rectangles and a thin font?

I also find the whole mocking real world items like the way apple does a little silly too. But at least they're trying to make it look nice. But Metro is just so plain, boring and just plain painful to look at.

Am I in the minority on this? Do people really dig this kind of UI?

 

[SimMike2]

If Windows 8 is designed to emulate a 3" phone screen on my 25" LCD, that is plain dumb.

 

[lxskllr]

I don't like any of the new UIs. MS and Linux(DEs) both are changing stuff that doesn't need to be changed. Everyone is building for phones, and I'm not interested in phones. I'm hoping it's just a fad, and everyone will get their crap together eventually....

 

[ViRGE]

It looks weird for sure, but they haven't definitively outlined when and where we'd see Metro on the desktop. So I wouldn't suggest reading too much into things until then.

 

[BD2003]

It looks weird for sure, but they haven't definitively outlined when and where we'd see Metro on the desktop. So I wouldn't suggest reading too much into things until then.

Well, seems pretty clear it coming to the desktop with windows 8. It's also already on windows phone, and coming soon to xbox 360.

To be clear, I'm only really talking about the aesthetic. It might be the most functional thing in the world, but to me, it's about as visually appealing as a command line. Text and flat shaded backgrounds...whoopee, it's the future!

 

[Nothinman]

I have to say, I really find the whole aesthetic direction windows and microsoft in general is going with their whole metro look well...just hideous. I never thought that in 2011 we'd be moving towards the simplest, most minimalist and just plain ugly UI I could ever have possibly imagined. We've got crazy 3D acceleration in even low end PCs now, and the best they could come up with is colored rectangles and a thin font?

I also find the whole mocking real world items like the way apple does a little silly too. But at least they're trying to make it look nice. But Metro is just so plain, boring and just plain painful to look at.

Am I in the minority on this? Do people really dig this kind of UI?

I agree, but I just assumed I was subconsciously biased against MS...

A friend got a WP7 phone recently and I played with it a little bit and it just seemed so plain and very limited in functionality. I'm all for minimal UIs, but that just seems extreme to me. Even iOS seems more aesthetically pleasing and functional and I'm way more biased against Apple than MS.

 

[Chiefcrowe]

It seems to me to be good for phones but I wouldn't really want to use it on my desktop.
I am definitely interested in testing out windows 8 when the beta arrives.

 

[Griffinhart]

I don't anticipate using the new UI on my desktop, but I'm really looking forward to it on my tablet. A single OS that meets both my Desktop and portable computing needs is very appealing to me.

 

[Dahak]

without actually using it, I cannot really say, but from what I see, on a phone/tablet/ tv-media center it might not be too bad, but for actual desktop use not I would not be using it.

but have to wait for the betas to come out

 

[Nothinman]

I don't anticipate using the new UI on my desktop, but I'm really looking forward to it on my tablet. A single OS that meets both my Desktop and portable computing needs is very appealing to me.

Then why aren't you running XP or Win7 Tablet Edition right now?

 

[dawks]

I think theres some confusion, or maybe im the confused one. Windows 8 will almost definitely retain a traditional mouse based UI (explorer.exe), with a start menu, task bar, folders and applications. The demo we saw on youtube a few months ago was a dedicated tablet application/skin. Much like Media Center is a dedicated full screen application.

I'd imagine a world where you're computer will run like a traditional Windows OS on Windows 8, with the option to launch a touch based UI (which *should* be restricted to tablet hardware). If you boot a Windows 8 based tablet, you'd go straight into the Windows 8 based tablet 'metro UI', with the option to roll out back to a normal Windows interface (explorer.exe).

It seems to me a lot of people think this 'metro UI' is the new full on Windows interface.

Microsoft has long supported tablets and touch based interfaces back to Windows XP, but hasn't taken off because touch needs a whole different paradigm than a mouse interface. Apple has succeeded by rethinking the whole interface. Microsoft is now following suit.

 

[dawks]

I have to say, I really find the whole aesthetic direction windows and microsoft in general is going with their whole metro look well...just hideous. I never thought that in 2011 we'd be moving towards the simplest, most minimalist and just plain ugly UI I could ever have possibly imagined. We've got crazy 3D acceleration in even low end PCs now, and the best they could come up with is colored rectangles and a thin font?

I also find the whole mocking real world items like the way apple does a little silly too. But at least they're trying to make it look nice. But Metro is just so plain, boring and just plain painful to look at.

Am I in the minority on this? Do people really dig this kind of UI?

I'm actually a big fan of clean/simple design. I think its more effective and efficient. Things require less resources (storage, CPU, memory, network), and can be easier to learn and use. Its one of the reasons I like Apple hardware and software so much. Its clean, and simple.

 

[hooflung]

I don't mind the 360 interface, although when it has too much white in it then it is too bright. I enjoy the Zune interface on the 360. I also like the PSN interface. As long as they don't screw the guts of Windows 8 up I don't really care. Unless they put Stardock out of business I am sure we can always make windows look better.

 

[IamDavid]

Then why aren't you running XP or Win7 Tablet Edition right now?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Griffinhart
I don't anticipate using the new UI on my desktop, but I'm really looking forward to it on my tablet. A single OS that meets both my Desktop and portable computing needs is very appealing to me.

Then why aren't you running XP or Win7 Tablet Edition right now?

"A single OS that meets both my Desktop and portable computing needs is very appealing to me."

XP and 7 don't. They work OK but not erfect for touch screen. Win8 seems to be a perfect match. My next phone will be a WP7 phone hoping 8 will be an option in the future, doubt it but I can dream.. Apple and Android are cool toys. MS needs to step up and meet real world demands now which I think they are going too.

 

[Nothinman]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Griffinhart
I don't anticipate using the new UI on my desktop, but I'm really looking forward to it on my tablet. A single OS that meets both my Desktop and portable computing needs is very appealing to me.

Then why aren't you running XP or Win7 Tablet Edition right now?

"A single OS that meets both my Desktop and portable computing needs is very appealing to me."

XP and 7 don't. They work OK but not erfect for touch screen. Win8 seems to be a perfect match. My next phone will be a WP7 phone hoping 8 will be an option in the future, doubt it but I can dream.. Apple and Android are cool toys. MS needs to step up and meet real world demands now which I think they are going too.

But my point is that full Windows will never work well for both because even if Win8 runs on tablets you'll have to run different apps for everything. Office will fail miserably with a touch interface, so if you've got two sets of apps for everything what's the point of using the same OS? MS has had a tablet system out there that does both and it's not good enough and I really don't think Win8 will change that significantly.

 

[JackMDS]

Here you can see a Win 7 tablet running a UI that is similar in nature.

I.e., it is a Slate based on Intel ATOM that runs Win 7 with the EXOPC UI running in front of it.

The circles are similar concept to the Metro UI that choose Squares rather than Circles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5Psqc-48uo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjZ5hKTEK2A&feature=related

The nice thing about this is that it is a Touch device like the iPad or the Androids. It does every thing that a Windows computers does, it has all the regular ports, and streams, plays, and Networks like regular computer running Windows 7 does.

It is about 1" larger that the iPad, and weight about 1/2 lb. more.

Price is $ 699 with 2GB of RAM and 64GB SSD Drive.

 

[HeXen]

The regular W7 interface is still there, you can switch between them even.
But i actually kinda like the XMB of the ps3. in fact i'm using the same functionality of it. this is my desktop...works great and i like the animated wave thing in the background

Also i have used a Metro style interface too....i can honestly say, with mouse and kb, it works really well.

 

[Nothinman]

The nice thing about this is that it is a Touch device like the iPad or the Androids. It does every thing that a Windows computers does, it has all the regular ports, and streams, plays, and Networks like regular computer running Windows 7 does.

Is it just me or did that demo not show any existing Windows apps? Which was the point I was trying to make. Anyone can write a shell replacement for Windows which does touch input, the problem is making it work for the millions of Windows apps that exist already. Without that, it's pointless and you might as well just get a tablet with a custom OS because you'll need all brand new apps anyway.

 

[JackMDS]

Win 7 Tablet PC extension already make aspects of the Widows applications respond to Tablet specific "Gimmicks".

This shows the regular IE 9 and its "Pinch" capacity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCC9JfHtiDM

 

[Nothinman]

Win 7 Tablet PC extension already make aspects of the Widows applications respond to Tablet specific "Gimmicks".

This shows the regular IE 9 and its "Pinch" capacity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCC9JfHtiDM

Things like trying to click on the File menu in an app or the ribbon in office with your finger, which is many orders of magnitude bigger than a mouse pointer, aren't gimmicks. They're basic tablet use and are much more difficult than they need to be for Windows apps to work on touch devices.

 

[Exodist]

I don't like any of the new UIs. MS and Linux(DEs) both are changing stuff that doesn't need to be changed. Everyone is building for phones, and I'm not interested in phones. I'm hoping it's just a fad, and everyone will get their crap together eventually....

I agree.. I dont like touching my screen and I dont like tiles.. I got over the whole tile phase back when I was running DOS..

 

[HeXen]

I agree.. I dont like touching my screen and I dont like tiles.. I got over the whole tile phase back when I was running DOS..

i didnt know we had tiles in dos. all i remember is having to type in commands then later i recall using a menu system. Macs were the first i used that even had icons and wallpaper but i'm sure DOS had that too at the time....but tiles? like Metro UI or something else?

Is it just me or did that demo not show any existing Windows apps? Which was the point I was trying to make. Anyone can write a shell replacement for Windows which does touch input, the problem is making it work for the millions of Windows apps that exist already. Without that, it's pointless and you might as well just get a tablet with a custom OS because you'll need all brand new apps anyway.

All existing windows apps will work as they do in W7 but will not be touch screen friendly. All new default windows apps were written in HTML5 and Java.
Also, its not just a shell replacement, the entire OS ..and all this info is according to a new article i read in PC Advisor mag btw, is designed for tablets along with ARM support and includes the necessary improvements and files to fully function on a desktop.
Hands on demonstration..i assumed some alpha or beta version? showed Adobe Photoshop and a few other tested apps worked flawlessly.

 

[JackMDS]

LOL, I am part of the computing world since 1965.

Went through everything from Computers that are built with Vacuum Tubes and occupy a whole building while doing less than a current Laptop, through all the amazing developments of today computers.

Every time when there is a change this rings in my ears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi9y5-Vo61w

Always the same Lame Generic Complains. D:

I always wonder how we ever got rid of the Poisson Magic mercury Medication of yester-centuries.

In any case, 10 days from now it might be that we will get a little "wiser".

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft...lls-out-in-spite-of-a-dearth-of-details/10230

 

[Nothinman]

All existing windows apps will work as they do in W7 but will not be touch screen friendly.

Exactly, so the benefit of Windows over iOS or Android on a tablet is what exactly?

All new default windows apps were written in HTML5 and Java.

I think you mean JavaScript and I know MS said that's where they want to go, but we'll see what actually happens. If an app is just HTML5+JavaScipt with some offline capabilities then what advantage does Windows have over OS X, Linux, ChromeOS, etc? I don't think MS would make migrating away from their OS so simple And then there are lots of people, like myself, that really prefer native apps whenever possible. Given the choice between native and something web hosted I will almost always choose local.

Also, its not just a shell replacement, the entire OS ..and all this info is according to a new article i read in PC Advisor mag btw, is designed for tablets along with ARM support and includes the necessary improvements and files to fully function on a desktop.
Hands on demonstration..i assumed some alpha or beta version? showed Adobe Photoshop and a few other tested apps worked flawlessly.

I know MS is dumping a ton of design work into Win8 to make it better for tablets, but I was just talking about the Metro UI which could definitely be done with a shell replacement.

 

[HeXen]

Exactly, so the benefit of Windows over iOS or Android on a tablet is what exactly?

.

For starters no one would want say Photoshop on their Tablet. The idea is that developers create apps for them just like they do for Ipad. You don't see Mac apps working on ipad, same difference, MS is just trying to make a single OS that can function on all the hardware varieties. its assumed then that development is now 2 sided for the same OS. those for tablets in mind and those for full desktops in mind except likely the desktop apps wont' work on the tablet i'd assume.

How well it does compared to Ipad only time will tell, for now i prefer ipad but we'll see what the development comunity and OEM's can do with W8 on a tablet.

I know MS is dumping a ton of design work into Win8 to make it better for tablets, but I was just talking about the Metro UI which could definitely be done with a shell replacement.

it already has. didnt you see my desktop pics? they function much the same way. the screen doesnt slide to another but yeah, no doubt a more robust shell will be made after W8's release. But even the shell on my w7, i liked it pretty well. i just wish i could hide it quickly if i want to see the desktop or whatever.