Microsoft ditches Metro... in name only

[Simon]

Microsoft is to ditch the Metro brand from Windows 8 and other platforms following a trademark infringement complaint.

Metro – Microsoft's codename for the tile-based interface used in Windows Phone 7 and the upcoming Windows 8 - will be rebranded, according to internal emails seen by The Verge.

Although the name change won't affect the design of the software, it is a marketing complication, with apps developed for Windows Phone 7 and Windows 8 long referred to as Metro-style apps.

Microsoft, however, played down the issue by suggesting a name change was always likely.

"We have used Metro style as a codename during the product development cycle across many of our product lines," Microsoft said in a statement.

"As we get closer to launch and transition from industry dialogue to a broad consumer dialogue we will use our commercial names."

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/376207/microsoft-ditches-metro-in-name-only

[Gary]

Windows 8 hopscotch or or Windows 8 pains panes ? Had a play with it, must say I prefer Windows 7 alot, I think this will be a hard sell for Microsoft.

[Simon]

I think it's a platform that they should have kept for mobile devices, but I can't judge it, as I haven't tried it.  I know I don't like the look of it, though.

[Gary]

I think it's a platform that they should have kept for mobile devices, but I can't judge it, as I haven't tried it.  I know I don't like the look of it, though.

Having two interfaces rolling on one OS is very odd, to get a desktop view you have to go hunting for it, its not really mouse friendly either, its really a hybrid and it to me was hard work, finding things took ages, it should be one of the other, MS would have been I think better off developing it for tablets and having a separate OS for the desktop. This is quite a fair view of it. http://betanews.com/2012/07/05/windows-8-will-flop/

[Niall]

If its an internal test name, why does it matter what they call it? It could be called "all Disney staff are Nazis" and it shouldn't matter as its internal and not a marketed product. Admittedly my name would likely attract lawsuits

[Steve]

Plus it would break the 8.3 MS DOS naming convention

[zappaDPJ]

I think the likely success of Windows 8 is very hard to predict. It does have quite a number of things in its favour. It's very fast even on a laptops from what I've seen, I believe it's going to be quite cheap to buy and it provides an interface that the smart phone/tablet generation will probably feel comfortable with. Whether this grumpy old git will get to like it remains to be seen though

As for the name change, I suspect that will cause Microsoft some grief being so close to launch. Metro was far more advanced than an internal name even if Microsoft is saying otherwise.

[Gary]

As for the name change, I suspect that will cause Microsoft some grief being so close to launch. Metro was far more advanced than an internal name even if Microsoft is saying otherwise.

I think you are right, Metro had a ring to it in its own way, trying to rename it this close is going to be hard, this was I imagine the final name. As for will it sell, I didn't like it but that's no loss to MS, but I have seen reviews from hardened MS peeps who hate it too, its such a change that the learning curve may put people off, I imagine people will want Windows seven on a new PC given the option. The tiles and bland ui are great for touch screen but I'm not sure it is for a desktop and mouse, its annoying as hell, its almost a schizophrenic OS as the ex metro theme is not even constant throughout. Fast is good but loses the edge if it takes you ages to find what you want, and many want a desktop style screen, which is now not the main focal point in Windows 8. Only time will tell.

[Steve]

I think Windows 7 will remain as the modern choice for desktops. The cash cow is tablets and thats were the new OS will do or die.

[Gary]

I think Windows 7 will remain as the modern choice for desktops. The cash cow is tablets and thats were the new OS will do or die.

I think you are right, if MS get this right and at a sensible price it could put a dent in Apple, and tbh that would be a good thing, I may like my Mac but they are getting to cocky with lawsuits and without real tablet competition the ipads are not really evolving as many would have thought, saying that what is next with phones and tablets, phone get bigger screens they become tablets...and tablets need better connectivity and not to be app driven so much to replace a laptop properly and be seen as a serious alternative. 

[Steve]

Problem is they're late to the market, iOS and  Android are now relatively mature having gone through several releases . MS are just at the beginning of their Tablet OS development will they have the patience to persist with a product that might not do well first time round. But perhaps they have no choice.

[Glenn]

MS were actually to early to the party in 2004 with XP Tablet edition
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tablet.jpg

[Gary]

Microsoft have had a habit of quitting when it does not work, like the Zune. This time its in their main code so they are risking everything.

[Niall]

What I'm hoping is that 'Surface' does things an ipad or other tablet can't which is have a larger storage capacity. Then if it has that I shall immediately look into it seriously, if there are no reported problems with it. Windows 8 on the face of it, looks bloody awful, but I have no idea how customisable it is. As it stands my train of thought is to stick with Windows 7 for at least 6 months to a year, to see how Windows 8 takes off, and has problems sorted (which are inevitable on PCs with a new OS launch, as we all know!).

I want a tablet quite badly, but the ipad is just too small storage wise, and the price is a bit much if you step up to the larger storage. If M$ release a tablet with decent storage space, that basically does what an ipad does, at a reasonable price, I'll be all over it

[Glenn]

Most Android Tablets have a micro SD slot for additional memory. The Nexus 7 doesn't, but it it's rooted, it can access external storage via a USB OTG cable.

[pctech]

Been playing with the release candidate at work and it hasn't grown on me one bit.

We generally get quite a few more calls when new versions of Windows come out and it tends to be more about software that is broken by the new release but I think a fair few customers, even seasoned Windows users, are going to have an issue with navigation with this version.

Thankfully this time I have access to a service that allows me to see their screen, I am expecting it to generate a lot of work for me and my colleagues though.

[cavillas]

Why can't the Paris Metro now sue the German company for infringement of its name.

[Steve]

Or indeed Gateshead.

[Simon]

Or the free London newspaper...   

[Glenn]

[Simon]