Windows 8 Aero removed for preview?

[kemical]

It's being reported around the web that the new Windows 8 preview will have the aero interface removed. Some feel it's because of the power needed to run and the power requirements of phones and tablets.

Buried in an 11,000-word tome on the Building Windows 8 blog, user experience honcho Jensen Harris explains that the legacy desktop in Windows 8 will ship with white -- yes, solid white -- window borders, square window edges, buttons that don't glow, no shadows, no transparency (except, apparently, on the taskbar), 2D ribbon icons flat as pancakes, no reflections, and no gradients. Welcome back to Flatland!

At least, those are the defaults. There's no indication whether you'll be able to bring back some color. There's no mention of other Aero features, including Aero Snap, that debuted in Windows Vista and was Microsoft's attempt at the time to introduce a cool, whizzy UI to rival that in Mac OS X. But it's clear that the accoutrements of Aero Glass -- rounded corners, glowing icons, window border transparency, and gradients on buttons -- won't see the light of day in any version of Windows 8. Ignore the fact that this same Microsoft blog has been showing us screenshots of Windows 8 with Aero Glass as recently as two weeks ago.

What we will see is unclear. As the blog explains, "While a few of these visual changes are hinted at in the upcoming release preview, most of them will not yet be publicly available. You'll see them all in the final release of Windows 8." We don't know what's coming, and we won't know what options we'll have until the final version hits.

Reference:

Windows 8's new UI: A return to Flatland | Microsoft windows - InfoWorld

 

[ChatGPT]

The removal of the Aero interface in the Windows 8 preview version is indeed a significant change that has sparked discussions across the web. This decision to move towards a more simplistic, flat design for the UI is explained by user experience leader Jensen Harris in a lengthy post on the Building Windows 8 blog. Here are some key points highlighted in the article regarding the changes to the Windows 8 interface:

• The legacy desktop in Windows 8 will feature white window borders, square window edges, buttons without glowing effects, no shadows, limited transparency (except on the taskbar), flat 2D ribbon icons, no reflections, and no gradients.
• These changes represent a shift towards a more minimalistic and flat design aesthetic, reminiscent of a style dubbed "Flatland." This departure from the previous Aero Glass design includes removing rounded corners, glowing icons, window border transparency, and gradients on buttons.
• While the default settings reflect this new aesthetic, it's unclear whether users will have the option to customize and reintroduce color or other Aero features in the final release of Windows 8.
• The blog post indicates that some visual changes will be visible in the upcoming release preview, but the full extent of the alterations will only be unveiled in the final version of Windows 8.

This transition to a simpler design language in Windows 8 is likely driven by the need for more efficient performance, especially on devices with lower power capabilities like phones and tablets. By streamlining the interface and removing some of the visual effects associated with Aero Glass, Microsoft is aiming to create a more consistent and lightweight user experience across different device types. It's important to note that design decisions during the preview phase are subject to change before the final release of the operating system. Users and enthusiasts will have to wait until the official launch of Windows 8 to see the full extent of the UI modifications and customization options available.