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Microsoft

First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

By Mark W. Kaelin June 1, 2012, 4:07 AM PDT

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First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

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.

n

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

First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

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

First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

Titles Microsoft chooses to promote tend to underwhelm

Titles Microsoft chooses to promote tend to underwhelm

ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

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

First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

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.

n

ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

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

First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

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).

n

ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

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.

n

ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

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

First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

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.

n

ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

Tweetro

Tweetro

ntTweetro is okay, but it is not the app I would choose for tracking Twitter.

n

ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

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.

n

ntImage credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

n

nt 

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By Mark W. Kaelin
Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the information technology industry, software, hardware, gaming, finance, accounting, and technology geekdom for more than 30 years.
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