Windows 8 will be running a Metro user interface like Windows Phone 7 and it looks pretty slick. From the 8-minute video, we can make out that developers will be able to make new "Metro-format" apps for this version of Windows. The interface and functionality has been completely revamped.
As you can see from the video, there is a lot of work left to be done on this version of Windows. Microsoft does not seem to make clear if users will be able to use the traditional Taskbar interface or not. However, this is the biggest change we have seen in Windows yet.
Personally, I am doubtful if people will like Windows 8 or not. Of course, this is not the final OS unveiled. But here are a few issues I feel might affect Windows 8 sales:
- The interface has been redesigned from the "regular" Windows look and it looks very futuristic. But there will be a lot of people (especially non-geeks) that probably won't figure out how their computer works very quickly.
- Windows 8 seems to be completely focused on tablet devices. I don't find this interface mouse-and-keyboard friendly. But this may change.
- What we have been shown makes it appear that Windows 8 is focused towards Microsoft services. We don't know how "open" this OS is, and developers might be able to change this to a great extent. But Windows 8 will apparently work best with a mobile device running Windows Phone. Microsoft needs this to market Windows Phone, but I'll hate to see Microsoft go the Apple way.
