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Thread: Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

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    Hirsute Mumbler FunkyDexter's Avatar
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    Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

    Just found this article on the BBC News site.

    I find it hard to believe that MS will actually drop the name at this late stage and I predict a LARGE payout or lengthy legal battle instead but it'll be interesting to keep an eye on this one.
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    .NUT jmcilhinney's Avatar
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    Re: Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

    Patents and copyrights make me sick sometimes. If you are using it in a different product space then using the same name as something else should not be an issue. Are Parisians going to have to start referring to a "French-style underground rail system"?

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    Re: Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

    Yeah I saw this headlined as The Death of Metro and had to read it.

    Is 'Metro' now a banned word at Microsoft? was more informative if not as big a "grabber" headline.

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    Re: Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

    Maybe they could call it "Bauhaus Lite" or "Back to the 1930s Look?"

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    Hirsute Mumbler FunkyDexter's Avatar
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    Re: Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

    Patents and copyrights make me sick sometimes
    This does feel like an abuse, doesn't it? Particularly as "Metro" is used as a abreviation in everyday parlance. If guys get their hair highlighted and wear too much aftershave are we to refer to them as Win8TileBasedUISexual in the future?

    I notice from Dilittante's link, though, that MS are saying this isn't to do with litigation. I suspect that's just because it would be a bit embarressing though.

    Maybe they could call it "Bauhaus Lite"
    Nah, Bauhaus was all about function over form. The way UIs seem to be going these days is the exact opposite of that.
    When one of my minions says, "Hey, he's just one guy, what can he do?" I say "This"... and shoot them.

    The problem with putting your lair in a volcano is keeping your robot army from melting.

    I know that the human being and the fish can coexist peacefully - George Bush

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    Web developer Nightwalker83's Avatar
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    Re: Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

    Quote Originally Posted by jmcilhinney View Post
    Patents and copyrights make me sick sometimes.
    Same here! Although, there needs to be something for lawyers to do all day.
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    Fanatic Member SJWhiteley's Avatar
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    Re: Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

    Although I do not like the interface at this stage, I did think 'Metro' was a short, snappy and generic enough name that really suited a 'next iteration'. In short, a codename which sticks.
    "Ok, my response to that is pending a Google search" - Bucky Katt.

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    Hirsute Mumbler FunkyDexter's Avatar
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    Re: Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

    I think the interesting thing is that it has stuck, no matter what some German retailer would like. At this stage of the game I don't think MS will be able to distance themselves from the name no matter how hard they try - people are just going to call it Metro regardless. I don't know what happens at that point but I would imagine the copyright becomes unenforcable. After all, when was the last time you got sued for calling your Dyson a Hoover. As long as MS don't use the word in their literature or releases I doubt anyone will be able to do anything about it.
    When one of my minions says, "Hey, he's just one guy, what can he do?" I say "This"... and shoot them.

    The problem with putting your lair in a volcano is keeping your robot army from melting.

    I know that the human being and the fish can coexist peacefully - George Bush

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    Re: Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

    I knew if I just ignored this whole "Metro" fad it would go away!

    Ahhh... back to VB6 for me.

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    Re: Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

    How about just calling it NUI.

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    Re: Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

    Any more news on this "Metro" name thing ?

    Some sales guy from Microsoft phones me yesterday trying to persuade me to update my MSDN subscription to "blah blah blah and enjoy the benefits of VS 2012 to develop METRO applications" (His words, not mine)

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    Administrator brad jones's Avatar
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    Re: Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

    Quote Originally Posted by IanS View Post
    Any more news on this "Metro" name thing ?

    "Modern App Experience" refers to any application that takes advantages of modern concepts such as "always connected", "mobile", "touch", etc... It is not specific to Microsoft or Windows.

    Metro apps on Windows are now called "Windows Store Apps". No, I did not make that name up, and yes, that is the name.

    Microsoft actually commented that there are four types of apps they are focused on:

    Windows Desktop - These are standard applications that you are likely used to
    Windows Store Apps - This is the “official” name of Windows 8 applications that used to be called Windows Metro Apps. These are the apps that will be distributed via the "store" model.
    Windows Phone Apps -These are obviously Windows phone apps. It is worth noting that the Windows Phone Marketplace is now the Windows Phone Store.
    Internet Explorer - Microsoft called out that they See Internet Explorer as an app target too.

    And here is a pretty picture they use:

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    Hirsute Mumbler FunkyDexter's Avatar
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    Re: Microsoft to drop the name. Really?!

    Windows Store Apps
    Wow, the marketting just went crazy with that one didn't they?
    When one of my minions says, "Hey, he's just one guy, what can he do?" I say "This"... and shoot them.

    The problem with putting your lair in a volcano is keeping your robot army from melting.

    I know that the human being and the fish can coexist peacefully - George Bush

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