We reported earlier that Microsoft was apparently having problems with use of term ‘Metro’ to describe the modern interface of its upcoming OS, Windows 8. Indeed the software giant made heavy use of the term when marketing Windows 8. However, apparently this caused problems with a Microsoft partner, Metro Group, due to the copyright issues involved.
Strangely, Microsoft was quick to back away from the term, apparently shy of being dragged into any new legal battle. It issues notices to app developers as well as its employees that the use of the term should be abandoned as soon as possible. It was also claimed that Microsoft was working on a replacement term for the sake of branding.
Now, it is being reported that Microsoft has decided to simply use ‘Windows 8’ in place of Metro, in all its branding endeavors. This essentially means that what we know as ‘Metro UI’ will become ‘Windows 8 UI’ and ‘Metro apps’ will become ‘Windows 8 apps.’
Although this is not confirmed yet but the rumor seems to be true given the fact that Lenovo, who is marketing a Windows 8 tablet, has used the term ‘Windows 8 apps’ in the marketing of its tablet. Evidently, Microsoft was quick to reach out to its hardware partners and let them know that it was abandoning the use of ‘metro’ in favor of ‘Windows 8.’
The use of ‘Windows 8’ in place of ‘Metro’ will also be extended to describe the interface of Windows Phone 8, which has essentially been making use of the same metro interface as Windows 8.
Source: ZDNet
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