How to integrate the Metro interface of Windows 8

Windows 8 has not been very good in recent months, and the way it tries to integrate the traditional Windows interface and the Metro interface for notebook and tablet experiences is not recognized by many users. Two days was also satirized by rival Apple's Tim · Cook as if the toaster function was attached to the side of the refrigerator. Indeed, the same is the fusion, Apple is the traditional desktop interface, the Launchpad as an application, and Microsoft is the Metro interface as the main interface, the traditional desktop as an application. I am not talking about it here.

Windows 8 Status

Metro and Traditional Desktop Splitting

Whether it’s the Consumer Preview in February or the release preview just released yesterday ( Release Preview) is a semi-Metro half desktop, between Metro and traditional desktops. The Metroized Charm menu that appears when the mouse is moved to the bottom right or top right corner of the screen is also extremely uncoordinated.

Windows 8 Traditional Desktop Metroization

From the Developer Preview to the Consumer Preview in November last year, and now to the release preview, we can watch The UI to the traditional desktop is also evolving in the direction of Metroization.

In addition, Microsoft's own desktop software, including Zune, Office 2015, Visual Studio 2011, Device Center, etc., is gradually becoming Metroized, and third-party desktop software is also available in Metro. This direction has evolved, such as GitHub for Windows, Metrotwit, and IDM.

Metroization of Desktop Software

Although the Metro interface for supporting the tablet experience is the biggest highlight and feature for Windows 8, but for Microsoft, more users Still staying on the original desktop, how to make the look and feel of the new desktop software closer to Metro is what will be done next. At present, we can summarize the trend of desktop software from the interface changes of Windows 8 system and the traditional software of its own and third parties.

1. Flat integration

One of the features of Metro UI is flattening, giving users a sense of immersion. The Metro words of desktop software are not like Metro. The application is full-screen like this, but it has also been moving in the direction of full planarization, including flattening, right-angled and de-framed. In addition, Microsoft recently announced that it will remove Aero Glass transparent frosted glass effects, remove reflective effects, reduce gradients and shadow effects (which will be applied in subsequent RTM versions), and the overall trend is to integrate distracting borders and function bars into the main body. In the middle, unified plane integration, so that the products are more neat and neat. The following Visual Studio interface changes can be seen at a glance.

2. Simplification

At the same time as the three-dimensional plane, Microsoft has been advocating simplicity, turning transparency into white, with more space left. Increase the breath of the interface while minimizing the number of function bars and focusing more on the content. The performance is to adjust the color ratio, with a uniform white, gray and other light background with black text, it seems to be simpler and simpler than the previous Vista, Win 7 interface.

Of course, simplicity is not as simple as it is, simple and meticulous is simple, and the rudeness is simple. The Metro style application that works hard is very simple and comfortable, and the Metro style is not Programmers are rushing to replace designers, so Microsoft is simplifying, while the details are also "colorful", the colorful here refers to the color of some small color blocks.

For example, from VS 2011 to the later RC version, VS 2011 uses the color of the status bar to increase visual interest and functional value, reducing the feeling of depression and aesthetic fatigue caused by monotones. And visual fatigue. The following figure shows the changes in the IDE debug compilation state.

In addition, when MetroTwit is updated, the topmost status bar is also a colored patch slide, the color patch at the top of the Zune, and the color on the system itself and the VS menu bar. Blocks are all, in addition to the simple simplicity of the simple complement to meet the needs of user differentiation, in the latest Windows 8 release preview version also added more color settings than the previous version to meet users Personalized needs.

3. Lightweight

After removing the border effects, the software that is more lightweight and does not have too many disturbing elements will start and run faster than ever. In terms of operational response, it will be faster and more efficient than ever, although it may not be as fast and smooth as the Metro application.

4. Dynamics

The Metro style that is more suitable for tablet touch is more cool than traditional desktop software. I believe it is more dynamic. Users who have used the Zune desktop app should not be unfamiliar with Windows Phone-like animations. This "live" desktop software can inspire more user emotions than ever before.

5. Griding

Metroized software relies more on text and color blocks to adjust, because of the "synonymous interface" The separation of properties makes it more concise and beautiful. The information classification in the new layout has a stronger contrast, and more right angles make the overall interface more rasterized, which is more and more important for information layout.

The core of Metroization is "Content/Information Centralization", which highlights the essence by reducing unnecessary elements. As everyone knows, Microsoft, which has often been on the product, has been promoting Metro for nearly two years. Whether it is Zune, Xbox, Windows Phone or Windows 8, it can be said that Microsoft’s continued accumulation of this brand on Metro will continue. For the purpose of unification, we will see the shadow of Metroization in more Microsoft traditional desktop software products in the future, and once Microsoft promotes it, I believe that third parties will follow up, from MetroTwit and GitHub for Windows is not hard to see.