Microsoft’s Metro Interface is Renamed ‘Windows 8’
When giant retail outfit Metro Group threatened to sue Microsoft recently over the name of its Metro interface, Microsoft didn’t fight, but instead stopped using the name straight away. What Microsoft was going to rename it then became the subject of speculation. Well, the speculation can stop or at least reduce now, because Microsoft sources have confirmed that Metro will now be renamed to ‘Windows 8’. Yes, the name of the operating system is now the same as that of its interface. How imaginative – and potentially confusing. Also, the apps designed to work in this touch-centric interface will now be called ‘Windows 8 apps’, instead of Metro apps. It looks like the message has been relayed to Microsoft’s hardware partners too, since the product page for the upcoming Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet 2 lists “Desktop and Windows 8 apps”, as can be seen in the image below.
Windows Phone also uses this interface. So, what will it be called? Yes, you guessed it, it will be known as the ‘Windows 8 interface’ on Windows phone. It seems odd that Microsoft was unable to come to some agreement with Metro Group to keep using the name, especially as they no doubt will be selling Windows 8 and the Surface tablet through them. Surely the Metro Group selling a product with the Metro interface would have looked quite cool, potentially strengthening both brands?
The new substitute terminology upon which the Softies have decided is — drum roll — “Windows 8,” according to my sources.
Here’s the official guidance, my sources say: Anything currently/formerly known as a “Metro-Style application” (with or without a hyphen) will now be known officially as a “Windows 8 application.” References to the “Metro user interface” will now be replaced by “Windows 8 user interface.” And instead of saying “Metro design,” the Softies and those adhering to their official guidelines will be using the words “Windows 8 design.”
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