Windows 8 Offers Internet Explorer 10, Ribbon, Apps Galore - Enterprise Applications - News & Reviews - eWeek.com

Lock-Screen

Lock-Screen
Mar 5, 2012
2 minute read
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Lock-Screen

1

Windows 8’s lock-screen offers at-a-glance info on battery life and connectivity.


Start Screen

2

Windows 8’s start screen embraces the same Metro design aesthetic that increasingly defines Microsoft’s products, from Windows Phone to the new Xbox dashboard.


Windows Store

3

In a bid to compete against Google Android and Apple’s iOS and Mac OS X, Microsoft is offering an app storefront that it hopes third-party developers will soon fill with must-have apps.


App Purchase

4

Downloading an app to Windows 8 is a very quick process, reminiscent of what you’d find with Windows Phone, iOS or Google Android.Â


App Install

5

App installation is likewise a breeze.


App Tiles

6

Once added, an app appears as one of many tiles on the start screen.


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Calendar

7

Preinstalled Windows 8 apps also adhere to the Metro design aesthetic.


Xbox Live

8

With apps on both Windows Phone and now Windows 8, Xbox continues to play an integral role in the Microsoft ecosystem.


Thumbnails

9

Users can see which apps are currently running on their Windows 8 machine.


Internet Explorer

10

As part of the Consumer Preview, Microsoft is providing Internet Explorer 10 Platform Preview 5, specifically tailored to Windows 8 devices.


Windows Explorer

11

One click or tap will deliver the user from the Metro-style start screen to a desktop interface, with access to elements such as Windows Explorer. This view is familiar to anyone who’s used Windows in the past.


Ribbon

12

However, Microsoft has made some changes to the “traditional” interface, including the addition of a version of its ribbon interface to Windows Explorer.


Maps

13

The preinstalled map app, useful for tablet owners looking for a way from Point A to Point B.


Metro

14

Users can “zoom” out to see all their tiles in a macro-view.


Widgets

15

Hovering the mouse (or a finger) over the bottom-right side of the screen will bring up a series of widgets that govern search, settings and other options.


SkyDrive

16

SkyDrive lets users store their work in the cloud—another useful feature for mobile users.


Weather

17

The weather app at work.

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