Microsoft Halting Use of the Term ''Metro''

[tanjo]

I thought it was called Tiles? Looks like it (if built by a carpenter high on drugs). So Tiles UI?

 

[applegetsmelaid]

"Windows 8-style UI" - is that the best that a global multi-billion dollar technology giant can come up with?

 

[Pinhedd]

[citation][nom]shqtth[/nom]Metro is used as a prefix in a lot of things. why don't they just call it MetroUI ?they can't get sued over using a coined word.[/citation]

Actually they can, that's exactly what a trademark is, a coined phrase that is identifiable within an industry. Trademarks have to be protected. If the trademark owner doesn't protect them then they can lose the trademark if it becomes commonplace in commercial usage.

Trademarks only cover specific areas of business which makes this somewhat strange. Metro AG is a retail outlet, not a tech company. In all likelihood they wouldn't have much to stand on were they to sue Microsoft which really just points to Microsoft finally admitting that Metro is a really dumb name.

 

[darkavenger123]

Call it Windows Phone UI. Kill two birds with one stone. Solve the trademark problem and promote Windows Phone at same time. I should be paid for this!

 

[killerclick]

The title of this article should've been Microsoft ditches "Metro"
That would've been a 9/10 trolling at least.

 

[freggo]

[citation][nom]xerroz[/nom]Trolls waited for the last minute to threaten Microsoft with legal action[/citation]

Metro AG is not a troll; they are a retailer about the size of Target with some 280,000 employees.
Organizations that size take their time to evaluate legal positions etc.; just like the 90,000 employee Microsoft is still working on the final name for the Win 8 UI.
Ah yes, and you do not necessarily want to pi$$ off a large retailer who can move boatloads of your stuff 🙂

 

[Maxor127]

I thought it was because their Metro UI already evokes a negative connotation.

 

[teknomedic]

Just call the UI "Windows pain"

 

[jryan388]

On OFFICE?! FUGLY

 

[JOSHSKORN]

FINALLY, a patent infringement that might actually do us some good. LOL They need to get rid of this UI boxy crap, anyway, whatever it ends up being called. Just go straight to the Desktop. Stick to what works and what HAS worked since Windows 95. When touch screens are actually affordable, maybe we can make better use of this UI nonsense.

 

[agnickolov]

[citation][nom]shqtth[/nom]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MetroIts like saying 'down town'THey can use Metro Windows then[/citation]
Wrong article. Think Costco instead:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_AG

 

[zulutech]

[citation][nom]PreferLinux[/nom]It is NOT a patent, it is a trademark. Very different. Do you really think your or I should be able to go and start a company producing software called "Microsoft"? In direct competition, with the exact same name? Get real...[/citation]
I understand the difference between the two, but metro is a word, Microsoft is not, it's the name of a company. If a company were to be named 'Water' would it make sense that said company's name could be trademarked?

 

[marclee37]

like last year, Nokia release the new windows phone 1 month before Xmas.
should have initial sales figure by 1-mar-2013, (guess) it will be disappointing again
not to worry, Nokia has plan B.
as early as jun-2013, we should see the first Nokia android phone.

 

[livebriand]

[citation][nom]zulutech[/nom]I understand the difference between the two, but metro is a word, Microsoft is not, it's the name of a company. If a company were to be named 'Water' would it make sense that said company's name could be trademarked?[/citation]
Hard to say - should I be able to start a tech company called 'Apple' that competes with Apple?

 

[Guest]

TileUI

 

[puddleglum]

[citation][nom]zulutech[/nom]I understand the difference between the two, but metro is a word, Microsoft is not, it's the name of a company. If a company were to be named 'Water' would it make sense that said company's name could be trademarked?[/citation]Why not? Apple is just a word! Remember the law suite with Apple Records?

 

[jacobdrj]

At 40 bux a pop and with the performance enhancements it will bring, not to mention bringing life to my old tablet, I am in on W8, even with Metro...

 

[vern72]

Why can't Microsoft call the GUI by its real name: Windows Phone Interface. Ah yes, then Windows 8 won't be as highly regarded if they did.

 

[zak_mckraken]

I'm metrosexual!

 

[RADIO_ACTIVE]

were doomed

 

[gnesterenko]

I was upset about the new UI until I realized I don't actually use my start-menu OR my desktop anymore. Everything is 'Windows' Key - type, enter... i don't even look anymore. That or quick-launch bar, which it seems METRO is just bigger. So in a way, I'm already using Win 8...

All that said, its as if all the haters are sitting there all day starting at their beloved desktop screen. This is confusing. Beyond the few seconds after I sit down, the only thing I'm looking at is the applications I have running. If Win 8 can run those faster, and utilize my hardware better, then that is all that matters. The UI is not the OS- its the guts that count.

Ultimately though, no one will really care, once the device unification benefits are realized.

my 2c..

 

[puddleglum]

[citation][nom]vern72[/nom]Why can't Microsoft call the GUI by its real name: Windows Phone Interface. Ah yes, then Windows 8 won't be as highly regarded if they did.[/citation]They didn't want to call it Windows Phone Interface System Software because the acronym would be more popular than the OS. 😀

 

[Chainzsaw]

Thats odd, I mentioned they might call it Windows Tiles - and my comment seems to have disappeared?

Maybe that confirms my suspicion of the name of the new UI?

 

[Chainzsaw]

Nevermind I found the correct article....

It seems my browser is playing tricks on me. ODD. I just want to see how the finished OS is.

 

[hoofhearted]

Maybe call it Bob 2