Microsoft Tossing Out "Metro" Name, Going With "Windows 8" Instead: Confused?

Microsoft Tossing Out "Metro" Name, Going With "Windows 8" Instead: Confused?

Friday, August 10, 2012 - by Ray Willington
Well, this is strange. It seems that "Metro," the design language that just about everyone associated with the 'tiled' system used in Windows Phone and Windows 8, can no longer be used to reference precisely that. As part of some trademark spat, Microsoft has seemingly been forced to ditch what is largely regarded as its most intelligent naming scheme in years for something else. And that "something else" is far less enticing. According to ZDNet, Microsoft is ditching Metro and will instead call those 'tiled' things... Windows 8.


Confused yet? You should be. Windows 8 will now be used to refer to what was previously known as Metro. What will the "conventional" desktop be called in Windows 8? Desktop. It's a pretty strange way of doing things, but since it's too late to rebrand an awesome brand, Microsoft is taking the easy route and hoping that most consumers who aren't constantly swept up in technology news won't notice. In other words, if you're hoping to develop a "Metro" app for Win8, you'll now be developing a "Windows 8 application."

So much for brilliant branding.
Via: ZDNet | News Archive | Tags: Microsoft, Windows, Software, Metro, Windows-8
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By CDeeter on Aug 10, 2012

I wonder who has the Metro trademark, and what it's being used for.

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By InsideSin on Aug 10, 2012

The Metro trademark is apart of a German retailer, Metro AG. In Germany this group is bigger than Walmart. Guess they don't want problems with the launch in Germany.

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By Erakith on Aug 10, 2012

InsideSin:

The Metro trademark is apart of a German retailer, Metro AG. In Germany this group is bigger than Walmart. Guess they don't want problems with the launch in Germany.

That's good info, thank you! That makes sense, but.. still, "Windows 8."? That's ridiculous. So if I want to use the desktop on Win8, I am in fact not using Win8 anymore, but something else? Sounds eh to me.

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By 3vi1 on Aug 10, 2012

Someone needs to tell the Metro Group about trademark co-existence, and tell Microsoft to stop being such wussies. There are literally thousands of companies and products using trademarks on Metro. Unless it causes customer confusion, you can use the same trademark.

Metro (Women's shoes): http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4010:855oc7.2.17

Metro (Securities Trading Software): http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4010:855oc7.2.18

Metro (Plumbing products): http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4010:855oc7.2.49

Metro (DVD Movies): http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4010:855oc7.2.59

Metro (Television): http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4010:855oc7.2.60

Metro (Buses): http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4010:855oc7.2.60

Metro (Electronic Cigarettes): http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4010:855oc7.2.195

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