Can mobility save the PC? Windows 8 represents the most radical change to Microsoft’s core offering since Windows 1 superseded MS-DOS in 1985. This fundamental shift is akin to Boeing reimagining the airplane, or Coca-Cola tinkering with its secret formula. On October 26, consumers will decide whether Microsoft has invented the passenger jet or New Coke.
We’re approaching an inflection point in computing. While that inflection includes Microsoft, it is bigger than any one company. Computing is becoming distributed — less reliant on any one device and increasingly reliant on new devices like tablets and handheld phones. Computing happens in a multi-device ecosystem where cloud services mean the PC is no longer the hub to which all other devices must connect.
Having specialized in mobile UI for the past ten years we can candidly call this like we see it: modern computing is being led by mobile in almost every way. The new PC as Microsoft envisions it — including battery conscious chipsets, context-sensing technologies, increasingly natural input methods like voice and touch, pervasive cloud services, rich visualizations — has the DNA of mobility all over it.
Modern computing is being led by mobile in almost every way and Windows 8 is Microsoft’s take.
Every super hero has an origin story that shapes their worldview, guides their decisions, shapes their strengths and also their villains. In this series of articles we aim to illuminate the Windows origin story with hopes of uncovering the emerging opportunities in the Windows 8 ecosystem. We hope to provide guidance to manufacturers asking how they can add their signature to a Windows 8 offering. For media and retail brands we will share insights on how Windows 8 should fit into their content and app strategies. Platform providers will benefit from our insights on where Windows gets it right, and where it leaves opportunities on the table.
We begin with part one, Solving The PC Problem, on Windows 8’s business imperative and competitive landscape, on how being different from Apple and Google will influence the platform’s success. Part two describes the platform’s Modernist influences and resulting character that should guide your own development of Windows 8 experiences. In part three we cover the experience heritage of the new UI and its mobile entertainment origins. Part four, details Microsoft’s 5 stated design principles of Windows 8 to better understand the company’s core philosophy. Finally, part five will offer a handful of Windows 8 design considerations for those looking to bring their experiences to the fledgling platform. Check back regularly (or follow @Punchcut) for the next installments as we count down to Windows’ public release.
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Windows Needs a Restart |
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A Reaction Against Faux Realism |
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The Next Generation of UI | |
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Principles & Philosophy | |
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The Nuts & Bolts of Designing For Windows 8 | |
Punchcut is a user interface design company with a unique specialization in multi-screen experiences for consumer devices — including handsets, tablets, ultrabooks, wearables and TV. We design experiences across major and emerging platforms: iOS, Android, and increasingly Windows 8. Our clients come to us not just to deploy apps on a new platform, but because we create user experience frameworks that help their brands create cohesion across platforms and devices.
EDITORIAL NOTES
1. Still Calling It “Metro”
Microsoft announced they will no longer be referring to their Windows 8 user interface by the name Metro due to conflicts with German partner, Metro Group, but Microsoft has yet to give an alternative. We’ll continue to call it Metro because the interface transcends any given instance of Windows OS and will be deployed by third parties who build apps for Windows devices, and therefore the interface will transcend Microsoft’s direct control. We feel the interface name is useful because, as anyone who has browsed the Windows App Store knows, the UI will be implemented by many developers, manufacturers and brands. We think there’s value in referring to the interface — and all it embodies — independent of Microsoft who will obviously lead its future development.
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2. Microsoft Loves Making Windows Flavors
The addition of new hardware options and Windows versions isn’t helping consumers understand this new release. Here’s a quick cheat sheet (or you can get the full rundown with charts at Microsoft’s blog).
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Windows 8
Windows 8 is a desktop OS and the natural PC upgrade from Windows 7 and all of its flavors. Microsoft has redesigned Windows 8 with the Metro UI. Windows 8 experience should be thought of as a full computing OS, akin to Mac OS or Linux. The Metro UI will coexist with the more traditional Windows 7-like desktop interface. Further, Windows 8 will run traditional desktop chips (called x86) it will be able to run legacy PC applications and robust PC software yet to be written.
Windows Phone 8
Windows Phone 7 was first to put the Metro UI to market but was based on the older Windows code, Windows CE. (Surprising since it’s been so responsive in terms of UI performance, belying CE’s maturity.) Microsoft rewrote Windows Phone 8 from scratch and therefore even recent devices like the Nokia Lumia 900 running Windows Phone 7 can’t upgrade.
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Windows 8 Pro
This package is Microsoft’s way of reassuring IT professionals that Windows 8 has all the encryption, remote desktop, groups and domain features.
Surface
Surface is Microsoft’s flagship hardware to launch Windows 8 and Windows RT. As the standard bearer for the new Windows the hybrid ultrabook/tablet industrial design comes in two models: one model runs Windows RT on an ARM chip, and a second model runs the full Windows 8 on an x86 chip.
What about third party hardware?
There are already tablet and ultrabook devices announced from the usual PC manufacturers (Lenovo, Samsung, Sony, and more) and smartphones with Windows Phone 8 from smartphone makers such as HTC, Nokia, Samsung and others.
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Windows RT
Microsoft hasn’t said what RT stands for, but insiders say it’s shorthand for “runtime.” Windows RT carries the Metro UI and runs on battery-conserving ARM chips that are not equipped to run old Windows desktop applications. Think of Windows RT as a tablet edition, comparable to iOS with it’s strengths and limitations. Microsoft is including the metro version of Office Suite on RT for free.
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Contributors to this series: Nate Cox, Joe Pemberton, Lonny Chu
A Punchcut Perspective. All rights reserved.
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@infomuotoilu RT @Punchcut: "Microsoft saw in the skeuomorphic UI of Apple what the Modernists saw in the Romantic art of their day…" — http://twitter.com/infomuotoilu/statuses/264051080504160256
1 November, 2012 - 15:58
@RasmusP RT @Punchcut: Modern computing is being led by mobile in almost every way and #Windows8 is Microsoft's take: http://twitter.com/RasmusP/statuses/264050123426918400
1 November, 2012 - 16:00
@tdog21 RT @Punchcut: We're counting down the week with a series on Windows 8. Read: A Platform Reborn — http://t.co/XfkOZ2WD #win8 #wp8
1 November, 2012 - 16:02
@metajive Our friends @punchcut have some great perspectives on windows 8 and how its changing the game... http://t.co/IjYFcY8Q
1 November, 2012 - 16:03
@SuperBruut RT @metajive: Our friends @punchcut have some great perspectives on windows 8 and how its changing the game.. http://t.co/WrmVt9uW
1 November, 2012 - 16:04
@joepemberton Working with @admspaceship to publish a series of #Windows8 articles this week. Read: http://pnch.it/VF58u7
1 November, 2012 - 16:05
@mobyjohnson The first two of an excellent series of timely articles on Windows 8 from @Punchcut: http://j.mp/RRhHN0
1 November, 2012 - 16:06
@Punchcut We're marking the week with a series of articles on Windows 8. Read: A Platform Reborn— http://pnch.it/VF58u7 #windows8 #wp8
1 November, 2012 - 16:07
Justin Hevey Windows 8: A Platform Reborn | Punchcut http://punchcut.com/perspectives/windows-8-platform-reborn
1 November, 2012 - 16:10
Jason Cotterell (@imagemechanics) Windows 8: A Platform Reborn – thoughtful series of articles on the history & future of the platform. http://jase.im/RlUTqm
1 November, 2012 - 16:11
Rae (@RachelDizo) http://punchcut.com/perspectives/windows-8-platform-reborn …
1 November, 2012 - 16:12
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