Microsoft

First look at Windows 8 Release Preview

By · June 1, 2012, 4:39 AM PST · markwkaelin

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  • The default Metro Interface

    I 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.

    The 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.

    Image credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

  • Window shopping in the Store

    The Store is much improved in this latest version. There will be much to explore here.

    Image credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

  • Titles Microsoft chooses to promote tend to underwhelm

    Image credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

  • Not all that social yet

    One thing that I still find worrisome is the lack of Social Media apps available for Metro so far - where is Tweetdeck, Facebook, Google+?

    Image credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

  • More news please

    Tablets and news feeds go together like peas and carrots - I look for more Windows 8 Metro apps here.

    Image credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

  • Your basic desktop

    Yes, there is the basic Windows Desktop and no you do not have to use Metro for anything really if you don't want to.

    Image credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

  • Latest news according to Bing

    Newsfeeds - 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).

    Image credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

  • Live tiles

    Now 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.

    Image credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

  • Checking the scores

    Sports is another app that begs to be customized.

    Image credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

  • Not the right people

    Windows 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.

    Image credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

  • Tweetro

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

    Image credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

  • More live tiles keeping me informed and up to date

    Here 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.

    Image credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

     

The default Metro Interface

I 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.

The 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.

Image credit: Mark Kaelin for TechRepublic

Related Topics:
Microsoft Enterprise Software Software Collaboration Mobility Cloud Hardware

By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.

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