Zuning it again? MS defends Windows 8 Metro Start Screen amid complaints and concerns

has microsoft zuned well, or these teething pains?

it's unfair judge os before release , fallout @ least quarters' worth of sales, microsoft we're talking about, , record has earned them scrutiny , justified pre-release worries.

why such key element need vociferous defending? why need "explaining" , damage control ms? there justify when ms claims have been listening consumers along (as love claim)?

isn't sort of doubts industry had when ipad released - people couldn't conceive of going when steve jobs demo'd comfort of easy-chair. that's how revolutionary was. metro ui, we're seeing usual "here go again" doubts point potential design snafu, ms famous for. reason redmond has design sense of flava flav on bender. not mention until metro has been abject failure.

metro has existed , has been available consumers since 2006, , in bigger way since october 2010. consumers didn't , don't care (so far) enough generate kind of appreciable return ms. change?

let's call spade spade: ms basing windows 8 ui on interface total market failure, , doing absolutely nothing pitifully low wp7 sales.

, zune , zune-related (e.g., metro) has not translated meaningful ms - either in terms of share or in terms of profit.

what's ms' answer? grand strategy? bring tablets , pcs.

seems they're hoping that, regardless of anything, windows universal-licensing model make metro successful because eventually, if want $400 pc, you'll have live metro default.

strategy (to put softly) "interesting" see in action.



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http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/microsoft-to-address-windows-8-start-screen-concerns/15243

http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20116005-75/microsoft-defends-its-windows-8-metro-start-screen/

microsoft defends windows 8 metro start screen

microsoft trying justify new windows 8 metro user interface start screen in wake of ongoing concerns , complaints unhappy users of developer preview.

in latest update building windows 8 blog, alice steinglass, group program manager core experience evolved team, tried explain need new approach windows start screen.

citing evidence more people using taskbar launch programs, steinglass said traditional start menu limited in scope it's not well-optimized launching or searching applications. such, microsoft felt need rethink entire start process in windows, including overall start screen.

"the start screen not replacement start menu--it designed great launcher , switcher of apps, place alive notifications, customizable, powerful, , efficient. brings set of solutions today disparate , poorly integrated," steinglass said.
microsoft designed new metro ui start screen give users access not applications provide live updates news, people, activities, , other relevant items, according steinglass. users able customize start screen beyond what's possible in current developer preview, giving them more control on how tile , group tools use.

in yet change past, microsoft has jettisoned concept of folders, claiming folders more used bury things rather organize them. instead, windows 8 start screen prompt users unite apps group.

"once apps organized groups, zooming out provides at-a-glance view of groups (similar looking @ folder list)," explained steinglass. "from zoomed out view, can jump directly group open folder. wishing stash programs out of sight, can remove pinned icon start , use search access it, or put program @ far end of start page. far efficient way manage large library of apps."

windows president steven sinofsky acknowledged new start screen attempt things people.

"we designed start modern, fast, , fluid replacement combination of launching, switching, notifying, , at-a-glance viewing of information," said sinofsky in preface blog post. "that's tall order. , of course, set out vast majority of customers, more familiar start menu, mouse, , keyboard, new customers using touch-capable devices."

many of commenters have pointed out, metro-based start screen may work smoothly on mobile device touch screen doesn't work on pc dependent on keyboard , mouse. in response, post tried assuage pc users unhappy metro ui current developer preview doesn't paint whole picture.

"there things we're still working on, aren't yet finished in developer preview," steinglass said. "for example, know there bugs in interacting @ high speed scroll wheel on mouse, , we're working on fixing these. we're adding ability instantly zoom out mouse , keyboard, , we're looking @ ways make scrolling faster , easier. and, working on fixing bug in developer preview causes inconsistent , slow page-down/page-up behavior. we're looking @ making rearranging more predictable mouse, keyboard, , touch."

 

you must getting worried now. try relax.

 

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