Microsoft Details Windows 8.1 Including the Return of the Start Button

[dgstorm]

For a while some folks out there have complained because Windows 8 removed the comfortable and familiar "Start button." If you fall within this camp you will be pleased to know Microsoft has officially confirmed it will be back in Windows 8.1; however it is important to note that it is a little different this time. Clicking on it brings up a metro-style list of your installed apps installed. You can still move these around and customize it, so it should be very similar in functionality.

Of course there is a great deal more coming in this newest version of the OS. A large host of features were recently detailed by Microsoft regarding the new massive update to Windows. Here's a quote with a few more details,

Personalization will be an added bonus when the Windows 8.1 update lands next month. Users will be able to use their lock screens as a slideshow to show off their favorite set of photos from vacation, and it’ll even pull photos from SkyDrive. Users will also have more options as far as choosing a Start screen background, and Microsoft also included motion wallpapers that animate. You can make your desktop background the same background on the start screen as well, in order to make the start screen less segregated from everything else going on around you.

There’s also some minor changes coming to the Start screen itself, including the ability to quickly move around apps to your liking by resizing them and moving multiple apps around at the same time. You’ll also be able to create groups and name them what you want, and to see a quick list of all your apps on one page, you simply swipe up from the bottom to make it happen.

Windows 8 Search also is receiving a nice little bump, allowing for quicker search results and reducing the time it takes to search for something and actually clicking on it to bring it up. Currently, searching for something will bring up results in categories, but the update will deliver direct links to users, getting rid of an extra step that wasn’t a huge deal to begin with, but quicker is always better in our eyes. Bing search results from the web will also appear alongside your local files.

As for built-in apps in Windows 8, Microsoft is improving all of them in some way or another, as well as improving multitasking between apps. Microsoft says that the Photos app will come with some new editing features, and the Music app has been redesigned. As for multitasking, Windows 8.1 will allow users to “snap” up to three apps on one screen, and you’ll be able to resize apps to any size you want, so those with multiple monitors will be able to have a ton of apps open and viewable at once, which is pretty cool.

Cloud storage is also a larger focus in Windows 8.1. Microsoft’s SkyDrive is integrated much more deeply into the operating system than before, allowing users to save files directly to SkyDrive without any friction. The new SkyDrive app also gives you access to your local files, as well as files that are in the cloud. Plus, you’ll even be able to access these files offline. Settings will also be saved to SkyDrive, meaning that when you log into a new Windows 8.1 device using your Microsoft account, all of your personalized settings will activate.

As you can see, Microsoft is not toying around and is bringing a great deal of innovation for just an incremental update. In fact, these were just the highlights they shared. There's more coming.

Source: SlashGear

 

[TheConstruct]

I am really looking forward to Naming Groups and making the Start Screen dense with smaller icons/tiles/whatever. I liked that apps added themselves to the Start Screen, but easier access to all apps will ease that transition. Over all I am really looking forward to this update. Now If I could find a Bluetooth Trackball. The search continues.

 

[TeknoBlast]

I am really looking forward to Naming Groups and making the Start Screen dense with smaller icons/tiles/whatever. I liked that apps added themselves to the Start Screen, but easier access to all apps will ease that transition. Over all I am really looking forward to this update. Now If I could find a Bluetooth Trackball. The search continues.

You can already name groups of tiles. All you do is pinch in at the Start screen and select the group you want to name. Unless this is a different group you're trying to name.

 

[TheConstruct]

You can already name groups of tiles. All you do is pinch in at the Start screen and select the group you want to name. Unless this is a different group you're trying to name.

Ah! You have to tickle it. Thank you!

 

[DOS]

You can already name groups of tiles. All you do is pinch in at the Start screen and select the group you want to name. Unless this is a different group you're trying to name.

I didn't know you could do that... Thanks!

 

[TeknoBlast]

My coworker just turned around and asked “why even bother giving people a start button which takes you back to the Start screen?” I responded “understand, the traditional start menu is not coming back, accept it already!”

Of course, he’s an Apple fan and likes to gloat that Apple tablets are #1. They’re only #1 because they have a few years head start and were the first to place a device like that on the market, so yeah of course they are ahead than everyone else.

 

[J515OP]

Awesome:

Users will be able to use their lock screens as a slideshow to show off their favorite set of photos

quickly move around apps to your liking by resizing them and moving multiple apps around at the same time

Windows 8 Search also is receiving a nice little bump

As for built-in apps in Windows 8, Microsoft is improving all of them in some way or another, as well as improving multitasking between apps. Microsoft says that the Photos app will come with some new editing features, and the Music app has been redesigned. As for multitasking, Windows 8.1 will allow users to “snap” up to three apps on one screen, and you’ll be able to resize apps to any size you want, so those with multiple monitors will be able to have a ton of apps open and viewable at once, which is pretty cool.

 

[guitar1969]

You can already name groups of tiles. All you do is pinch in at the Start screen and select the group you want to name. Unless this is a different group you're trying to name.

I think what MS means is you will be able to put some tiles into a folder group (like Games) . I hope that's what they mean as I loved that ability on my ipod touch and android phnoe and hate having to scroll through my hundred or so tiles to get to the end - Grouping would make much more sense.

The features they are adding sound great - Let's hope it makes people realize how trulky awesome the Surface RT is.

 

[guitar1969]

My coworker just turned around and asked “why even bother giving people a start button which takes you back to the Start screen?” I responded “understand, the traditional start menu is not coming back, accept it already!”

Of course, he’s an Apple fan and likes to gloat that Apple tablets are #1. They’re only #1 because they have a few years head start and were the first to place a device like that on the market, so yeah of course they are ahead than everyone else.

Your Apple co-worker will be wanting an Rt after he sees 3 apps multitasked side by side. Or maybe not , as Apple Fanboys think the limited prodiucts they use are still cutting edge.