Metro Style Start Panel

The "new" Windows Start Menu...

• Launches and switches programs.
• Consists of a flat, scrollable, non-hierarchical panel of large clickable or touchable icons called tiles, which often display "live" status information, images, or other dynamic content. In some respects, it is reminiscent of the box-of-icons approach used in Windows 3.x. It is similar to -- and serves the same function as -- the icon-based app selection mechanisms used in the Android and iOS mobile operating systems.
• Was introduced in Windows Phone 7; is now featured in Windows 8.
• Is a major component of what was previously known as "Metro Style", but is now called the "Modern Style" user interface.

About the touch menu

• According to ChaitanyaSareen:
  • "Just like the introduction of the mouse, innovations like this do not happen without new OS support, new apps, and new hardware"
  • "We believe that, as with the mouse, we will see touch augmenting, but not replacing, most every aspect of the PC experience over time"
  • "Moving beyond the Start menu, people now rely on the Taskbar, notification area, and desktop icons to launch applications and perform other tasks"
  • "The goal behind the Windows 8 Start menu was to take all of those elements and create a more harmonious approach"

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Links

• http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/10/03/evolving-the-start-menu.aspx
• http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20115356-75/microsoft-explains-reason-for-windows-8-start-menu/#!

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