Windows 8: Develop once for desktop and mobile
The new Windows 8 desktop looks a lot like Windows Phone 7. Each of the tiles launches an application but can also display application data that dynamically updates. With the Start button gone, there needs to be a new way to log out when you're done working. That log-in can be tied to your Windows Live account so that documents, applications and other settings can be synchronised across different devices.
Swiping the right edge of the screen brings up a set of shortcuts. Swiping from the edge of a screen brings up different options depending on the application you're using.
Internet Explorer gets the full Metro treatment. Tabs are gone, replaced with thumbnail views of pages that are revealed by swiping up from the bottom edge of the screen.
Frequently accessed web pages are quickly accessible and pinned sites can be pinned either to the main Windows 8 desktop or to the Internet Explorer home page.
Metro applications run in full screen. The look and feel is limited only by the developer's imagination. Although this application needs some work, it gives an indication of the sorts of things developers can do.
The Control Panel is simplified with most-used options put front and centre. Should you like to tweak at a lower level, it's possible to launch the full Windows 7 style Control Panel from an option at the bottom of this application.
Given that we're still looking at a Developer Preview, it's not surprising that some of the old Windows 7 UI is close at hand.
One of our favourites - Memories is a photo management application that makes it easy to organise and caption your photos. It's a big step up for consumers from Windows 7.
The Windows Explorer gets the Ribbon treatment that debuted with Office 2007. Love it or loathe it - the Ribbon is here to stay.
Anyone who tried to type on the soft keyboard with Windows 7 will know that it was a pain. The new keyboard has larger keys that can be easily used without making constant errors. The numeric keypad shown works very well. Overall the Windows 8 soft keyboard is a huge leap forward and superior, in our view, to the iPad.
