First look at Windows 8 Release Preview
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The default Metro Interface
The default Metro Interface
ntI finished installing Windows 8 Release Preview on two test machines this morning and immediately took a few screenshots to share with you. As we build up to the final release of Microsoft Windows 8 we will have plenty more to say about this latest, greatest operating system, but for right now, there are few things to note.
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ntThe default Metro graphical user interface is rather bland, but I think that is by design. I would think of it as an empty template just begging to be personalized.
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ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic
Window shopping in the Store
Window shopping in the Store
ntThe Store is much improved in this latest version. There will be much to explore here.
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ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic
Titles Microsoft chooses to promote tend to underwhelm
Titles Microsoft chooses to promote tend to underwhelm
ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic
Not all that social yet
Not all that social yet
ntOne thing that I still find worrisome is the lack of Social Media apps available for Metro so far – where is Tweetdeck, Facebook, Google+?
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ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic
More news please
More news please
ntTablets and news feeds go together like peas and carrots – I look for more Windows 8 Metro apps here.
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ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic
Your basic desktop
Your basic desktop
ntYes, there is the basic Windows Desktop and no you do not have to use Metro for anything really if you don’t want to.
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ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic
Latest news according to Bing
Latest news according to Bing
ntNewsfeeds – there is a default news reader that uses Bing as the search engine. Customizing this app will make a good blog post (note to self).
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ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic
Live tiles
Live tiles
ntNow that some Metro apps are taking shape you can see the potential of live tiles. The boring primary color tile everyone complains about is not a live tile that changes with the days activity.
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ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic
Checking the scores
Checking the scores
ntSports is another app that begs to be customized.
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ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic
Not the right people
Not the right people
ntWindows 8 combined contact information from Google, LinkedIn, and Twitter to make a list of People. There is definitely some customization that needs to take place here – this is not what I want.
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ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic
Tweetro
Tweetro
ntTweetro is okay, but it is not the app I would choose for tracking Twitter.
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ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic
More live tiles keeping me informed and up to date
More live tiles keeping me informed and up to date
ntHere you can see more of the tiles have been “unlocked” and are now live. I see some real potential for Windows 8 once you get past the initial learning curve. This version of Windows is going to take some effort to master – looks like it is going to keep Greg Shultz and I busy for a long time.
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ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic
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