Why the Windows 8 Start Screen don't work like on Windows Phone
I love Microsoft, that explains why I joined this Microserfs crew on The Verge [congratulations with the launch, by the way]. But I am kinda not looking forward with Windows 8, so far. I know it is not even on its beta stage, but I don't see Microsoft changing the Developer Preview radically.
I'm sure readers of this post will be like, "What are you saying? Windows 8 looks a lot like Windows Phone 7!"
I know, with the Metro UI and Metro apps, live tiles, and those gorgeous large Segoe fonts. But being a user of both of them, I see that the similarities end there. Let me just explain how Windows 8's start screen works.
When you click on the start button on the left screen of the screen, you will be presented with these square app tiles, some of them are live, some of them are rectangles. Here is my first annoyance with the start screen: when you're using a mouse, dragging it in the middle of the screen to view other pages of apps, you just can't do it. You have to drag the scroll bars on the bottom of the screen to move through the app tiles. I don't understand why we don't get this kind of gesture like how it works if you're using a touchscreen.
Another annoyance is that when you install an app, even if it is a desktop app [I mean, right now you probably would install mostly desktop apps], they would be placed on the last pane of your live tiles, and not a desktop shortcut. You don't get an option for this.
Yes, of course. Having desktop shortcuts and live tiles confuses me. I'm sure a lot of people feel the same way too. I mean, you have this one thing that creates shortcuts and folders for you, and there is this another thing that have access all of your apps and live information on your different services. How are we going to organize our stuff with two different metaphors?
I realized that this problem is completely solved by Windows 7. Yes, Windows 7. With the use of gadgets, you can have your widgets, recent news, photos, etc. placed on your desktop. One problem is that this tend to look unorganized and resource intensive [like with Android *coughs*], that's why I just wonder why the start screen wouldn't look more like this:
So, taking this directly from Windows Phone, I would want just one start screen/desktop. The apps and live tiles and folders are all included on the left side of the screen, and should be scrolled vertically NOT horizontally. On the right there is the app list, where in Windows Phone, it is accessible with one swipe. The app list will be visible or a swipe away according to your orientation and screen size.
I also believe that the task bar should always be visible. We are Windows users. We've known this metaphor since 1995 or even earlier. Removing it seems like they have betrayed multitasking.
Speaking of multitasking, I really think that the swipe from outside the screen gesture is good and really natural, although I would like to have a screen for my recent apps, just like on Windows Phone. I mean, what's wrong with this one:
Just tap and hold the Windows button and you will be presented with this display. This will really be helpful for touchscreen tablets.
Anyway, that is the end of my rant, and I hope you agree. What about you guys? How do you feel about Windows 8 and its double identity?
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