Windows 8 Review (Part-1)

There has been a lot of buzz about the recent operating system that Microsoft has launched last month. Yes, i am talking about none other than the most awaited  Windows 8,  which was launched on October 26,2012


So coming back to its review, Windows 8 has been Microsoft's one of the biggest risks in the market. The GUI has been totally revamped and Microsoft has incorporated the Windows Phone 7 interface in Windows 8.


1. The Start Screen
The very first impression that you get on logging in a Windows 8 PC is the Start Screen. It very much resembles the Windows Phone 7 Screen with lots of  Live Apps on it.





As you can see in the above screen shot that you have lots of apps pinned to your start screen. There are Default apps your E-mail, Messaging, Music, Photos, Calendar, Bing etc.


One of the noteworthy things of this GUI is that Windows 8 treats the used to be traditional desktop as an App. You can install other apps from the Windows store as well and that will also be displayed here (Like the Hindustan Times App in the above screen shot).


2. The Charms Bar
As you take the mouse pointer to the right corner of the screen(if you are using your desktop/laptop) or Swipe left on the right edge of the screen(in case of touch screen), a panel appears which Microsoft calls as the "Charms Bar".(Shortcut: Win+C)





The Charms Bar as Multiple options like the Search Tab, Share Tab, Devices and Settings Tab. Its worth mentioning here that the Search Tab's Functionality Changes as the App presently Running changes. For example, While on the Start screen when you click on the search tab it basically searches for Apps Settings or Files.





But if i do the same when my Music App is Running it searches for Artists, Playlists, Songs Etc.





Hence, the Search is now Pretty Dynamic.


The Settings Tab  in the Charms Bar provides a much simplified interface to change the system settings, although the conventional Control Panel is still present.
The Settings tab, Similar to the Search tab is dynamic and changes according to the App.








As you can see in the snapshot the default things like the Network Connections, Volume, Brightness, Power etc. remain the  same where as the upper portion of the settings tab changes.


Clicking the "Change PC settings" opens the simplified version of control panel.





Ex: From here you can change the color and design of you start screen depending on your mood and taste.