Microsoft UI has officially entered the realm of self-parody.
I think I’d find another occupation if I had to work on Windows.
Edit: My views on this do not extend to the magnificent design work going into other parts of Windows.
August 29th 2011
For those who haven’t seen, Microsoft has released a new video detailing the thoughts and design behind Windows 8 — which, from the looks of it, promises to be a major milestone in the Windows line. By putting an emphasis on web applications, and integrating the beautifully minimal “Metro UI,” across their desktop and mobile products, it looks like Microsoft is really putting themselves back in the game.
(Source: youtube.com)
The use of motion in the Windows Phone 7 Series user interface is brilliant.
I’d be remiss not to mention the release of Windows Phone 7 Series last week. Microsoft has taken a leap of faith here—completely reworking their mobile offering from the ground up. There is a newfound focus on touch and gestures, UI design, and social networking integration.
I think Microsoft has a success here. In addition to a generally pleasant looking user interface (though Tufte disagrees), the software is also hardware independent like Google’s Android—in contrast with Apple’s closed iPhone OS. Unfortunately, there are no actual devices yet which run Windows Phone 7 Series, though I’m sure we’ll see some very soon. All in all, the release may not be enough to save the failing mobile platform (primarily from the burden of IE), but it looks a great last stand.
Microsoft’s Creative Destruction »
A great little op-ed in the New York Times by Dick Brass, a vice president at Microsoft from 1997 to 2004.
Ewww. (via @uxmag)
Steve Ballmer unveils Windows 7 on NBC’s Today Show with a Macbook Pro in the background.
Cult of Mac has posted a gallery of “Icon Porn,” Snow Leopard’s beautiful icons. My favorite icon since Leopard has been the networked Window’s icon — featuring a beige CRT monitor and the “blue screen of death.” I wouldn’t say it’s smug, I bet even the guys over Redmond got a chuckle out of it (even if it was subdued and nervous).
