First Look - Windows 8 Consumer Preview

Microsoft released the Consumer preview of their highly anticipated Windows 8 operating system. At the first glance, Windows 8 OS came across adeptly designed for tablets. We wished our monitor could turn into a touchscreen of an average tab. The tile-style applications, lock screen and the start screen have been designed to instantly call for a smooth swipe to move forward. We’ve picked all its aspects one by one,

Lockscreen

Until now, a lockscreen was something we saw only on smartphones; a legacy that was passed on to tablets. This clearly shows how closely Microsoft is looking at a seamless experience for mobile to desk devices. However, the lockscreen doesn't get an approval from us, as moving the mouse or sliding (on touchpad) upwards isn't a smooth experience. It just leaves you wondering whether future laptops will call for a touchscreen or Windows shouldn't keep this feature for desktops.

Start screen

The default Metro UI interface on Windows 8

The images of the Start screen flashing the Metro UI have been appearing on the web from sometime now. They look as vibrant and lively on the screen, as you may have imagined. The UI showed bright, lively tiles when we downloaded the app from the Windows store, but adding other shortcuts to Windows app (from Windows Explorer) gave a dull look or they rather do not support Metro UI. The icons can be re-sized, as single right click shows options to uninstall the tile, unpin it from start and make it small or large and even turning the live tile feature on/off. The right lower corner has a zoom icon, which displays the entire Metro UI start screen in a single view.

Desktop

The traditional Windows desktop - minus the Start menu

Incase you choose to move away from the Metro UI, the Desktop tile may come to your rescue. However, the missing Start button could take you by surprise. The tile takes you to the homescreen that you are used to by now. The desktop shows the Recycle icon on the screen and the Windows Explorer folder at the task bar that takes you to essentials, like Network, My Computer and so on. You can also choose to pin these attributes on the Start screen. Switching from Desktop to the Metro UI can be done by simply clicking on the Windows button or by moving the cursor on the right edge, which will then display Start icon, along with Search, Share, Devices and Settings.

Metro UI

The Metro UI is what makes Windows 8 and on the PC it might be the thing that breaks it. Things have changed, ever since the Windows 8 Developer Preview came out back in September 2011. The traditional desktop and the Metro UI were two completely different elements, not so much in sync with each other. Things have gotten better now in the Consumer Preview. The Metro UI has more apps and things appear more complete. The Start menu on the Windows traditional desktop has disappeared.

As always, users are able to scroll through the tiles and quickly load the apps as well as Windows software from the interface. Users can start typing the name of the application they want to load and the search tool does the rest. Switching between the two interface happens quickly - by simply pressing the Windows key on the keyboard. Many of the other programs on Windows have been designed to run for the Metro UI. For example, Internet Explorer 10 exists on both the Metro UI and the traditional Windows desktop.

Charms

Charms - allowing quick access to some of the key Windows 8 features

Charms on Windows 8 is like an on-screen display found in games. It pops up on the right hand side of the desktop and has some of the basic Windows controls present there. For example, volume controls for each application can be set using this tool. Volume control Notifications and Wi-Fi settings are some of the things that can be quickly set from the utility.

That’s not all - the left pane is utilized, too. Instead of depending on the traditional Alt-Tab shortcut to see all currently running applications, the Metro UI lets users see all currently running applications by hovering the mouse to the left side of the screen. As of now, users can choose to close certain applications on demand.

Cloud service

Windows 8 ensures that cloud is the core of all the functionalities people access. On signing in with the Microsoft e-mail ID, Windows 8 is capable of moving your data to cloud and also allows you to access it using other Windows 8 device. For instance, you can save all contacts, phonebook, photos and so on, using the cloud storage ability.

Windows Store

The Windows 8 app store

Accessing the Windows Store would require one to sign-in with a Windows Live, Hotmail messenger Id. The store shows separate clustered tiles for Games, Music & Video, Social, Entertainment and so on. The Windows Store experience is something similar to what you’ve seen in the Windows 7 Phone. We downloaded Cut The Rope and another game, but the gaming experience on the monitor seemed a little off.