Microsoft very recently released an early developer preview of Windows 8 – along with typical selling points such as “full screen apps”, and the unfortunate ability to only see one application at a time. Yes, unfortunate.
What seems to have happened, is that Apple loved iOS and it’s successful interface so much, that they incorporated SOME parts of this in to OS X Lion – what you get, is the familiar OS X desktop, but with the addition of Launchpad, and “full screen” should you so wish to use those features. The key point here is that, those extras are not forced on to you. Microsoft on the other hand, got excited about this, and decided that their Windows Phone interface would be the first user interface you see when using Windows 8, with “Desktop mode” as a slab within the Metro interface. Immediately the familiar availability of a workable, comfortable desktop environment is utterly replaced with one designed for a touch-tablet device.
Unless Microsoft are insane, then there will be an option to completely avoid “Metro”, and go straight to “Desktop” mode. Otherwise they have just given every company out there a perfect excuse to consider less restrictive alternatives when it comes to upgrading.
Using the best tool for the job
A touch interface works great on a typical tablet device. The limited inputs and interactivity is replaced by very straight forward navigation and intuitive swipes and touches to get to what you need. The lack of a physical keyboard means that accessing an app is likely easier for someone than bringing up a virtual keyboard and searching for the app name. This is where the impressive and successful points to iOS and Windows Phone’s interface come in, and the reason these devices are so usable is because the OS is designed FOR these devices. If either company were to try and use the desktop paradigms on such a device, it would be usability hell.
So why do these companies seem to think people want to navigate their desktop PC in the same restricted fashion? A single “Full screen” app on a desktop PC is great if you are watching TV or a movie. But what about the umpteen hundred other tasks a desktop is suitable for?
The killer feature of a desktop, compared to a tablet, other than its more immediately available familiar computer-human interface is that it can multi-task just great. It is what most people have spent their hard-earned money on upgrades for – that extra oomph of performance when running multiple, increasingly demanding applications on increasingly demanding Operating Systems. It seems one giant step backwards trying to enthusiastically sell features such as “full screen applications” on a form-factor so large, that you have to wonder who their target audience is. Certainly, it not anyone who uses their computer for more than opening their web browser (which actually, is likely a very large user base).
My arms, they ache.
Yes, desktop monitors are appearing in droves hosting touch-screen functionality. I am willing to bet that if you know anyone with one of these monitors, they spend more than 95% of the time interacting with their PC the good old fashioned way – their monitor still sat there, gleamingly clean from not having to be poked, swiped, and tickled by hours of interaction with the person sitting in front of it. Now, sitting at your desk – imagine your monitor is touch-ready, and that you are navigating a huge version of your smart phone’s interface. You might slide the monitor close to you so it is easier to reach. You might tilt it a bit, or a lot. But no matter what you do, your arms are going to get damn tired quick from navigating the far larger screen, especially if it is moreso vertical.
Also try using your tablet device whilst it is held up vertical. It’s not pleasant, especially resting on a desk. Now, sure, you can pick up the tablet and hold it in a more comfortable way, but not so much with a 22″ monitor connected to a desktop PC under the desk. If you have one of those monitors with a built-in PC, then you have the extra weight.
Now imagine a great example of a “Full-screen app” – a TV. Since when do you rush over to your TV to physically interact with it’s controls, rather than sat on the sofa using a remote? Again, touch screen interface irrelevant.
Conclusion
It is still early days. I am not going to get overly critical of an OS preview so early in the day. The point I am making is about the touch interface, not whether Windows 8 gets a classic desktop mode by default, or as an option. I sure hope it does, but again, it is early days.
As is stands, someone is going to think of a very cool use for a touch screen and Metro. Perhaps a kiosk, or wall-mounted information screen. But for those of us that like to use a desktop to do actual work, then Windows 8 looks to be a usability hell, at least in my opinion.
It does raise the question – forced into a situation where the user has to learn a new desktop paradigm – will they? Or will they just see alternatives such as OS X a better upgrade option.
If you want a pseudo-demo of Metro, but don’t want to actually try Windows 8, or a Windows Phone device, then the closest is Windows Media Centre. That sounds daft, I know. But open that, and navigate around the settings, then find and launch a video from somewhere on your computer using only Windows Media Center. Did you like it? Did it feel like it was made for a desktop interface? No? You won’t like Metro then.