Developer Bringing Windows 8 UI to Windows 7
Indie developers inspired by tiles.

The Windows 8 tile interface that Microsoft showed off a couple weeks ago has been a big hit. The video that Microsoft released has hit 3.7 million views to date. (Click here to see that bit of news.)
While not everyone is thrilled by the tablet inspiration, Microsoft has made it clear that the new interface simply just exists on top of the current, familiar Windows desktop.
With that in mind, some independent developers are working to bring that tile-based UI to Windows 7. WinRumors has highlighted the early work of Italian developer Sergio James Bruccoleri, who is working on a public beta of a Windows 8-like interface that will layer on top of Windows 7.
Bruccoleri says that this demo is in a pre-beta state, and that a public beta will come with "effects and some cool stuffs."
Check out the video demo of his early work, which are clearly free of transition effects.
"Microsoft has made it clear that the new interface simply just exists on top of the current, familiar Windows desktop."
Though I don't know where they got this information or where exactly MS "made it clear" I have seen a demo where this new UI was replaced with the traditional desktop so I'm inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt.
That said, this article is about an independent developer creating a skin for Windows 7 that enables Windows 8 like functionality. For most people, like me, that's interesting but far from noteworthy. However, for Windows 7 tablet consumer owners of owners of any of those cool touchscreen all in ones, this could prove very cool.
So I'm failing to understand where nearly all of these comments are coming from. I can come up with a few things, but I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt rather than label them something they aren't.
This article isn't about how Windows 8 is the best thing since sliced bread. It isn't about the benefits of this UI for a regular desktop user. It isn't even really about Windows 8. This is about an indie dev making a rather good looking skin for an existing OS just because they can.
Sugarcoating s**t at it's finest. Just because it has 3.7 million hits doesn't mean it's a big hit. The rating/comments sections have been disabled so should I speculate on why that happened or should I take your word for it and Microsoft "invented" the coolest thing ever since sliced bread. That UI for desktop users is a piece of crap, 0 productivity benefits therefor it won't (or let's hope not) replace the tried and true desktop. I for one would much rather see WINFS spring back to life then this ... but since cloud computing is all the rage now...
Not sure why anyone would want this type of UI on a desktop machine. Not even Apple is bringing their Mobile iOS UI to the new version Mac OS X next month, and Apple is the king of taking functioning technology and making it less functional.
Won't be getting this and I am hoping that this UI is optional in Windows 8. Otherwise I'll be sticking with Windows 7 for awhile.
Windows 7 is fine, just like XP. Tablets and phones? Don't care what they'll run on.
chill out. you haven't even tried the #$*(%% tiles yet and you try to sound you know everything. those tiles might look like crap but give it a chance. i'm sure some brilliant genius may be at MS or a 3rd party developer would make it useful.
"Microsoft has made it clear that the new interface simply just exists on top of the current, familiar Windows desktop."
Though I don't know where they got this information or where exactly MS "made it clear" I have seen a demo where this new UI was replaced with the traditional desktop so I'm inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt.
That said, this article is about an independent developer creating a skin for Windows 7 that enables Windows 8 like functionality. For most people, like me, that's interesting but far from noteworthy. However, for Windows 7 tablet consumer owners of owners of any of those cool touchscreen all in ones, this could prove very cool.
So I'm failing to understand where nearly all of these comments are coming from. I can come up with a few things, but I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt rather than label them something they aren't.
This article isn't about how Windows 8 is the best thing since sliced bread. It isn't about the benefits of this UI for a regular desktop user. It isn't even really about Windows 8. This is about an indie dev making a rather good looking skin for an existing OS just because they can.
I'll take Gnome sitting on a Linux kernel first.
I would NEVER go for this myself, I like the control, but my wife's mother(like most americans) are electronically challenged and the new UI simplifies EVERYTHING! I work at a bank that still uses IE6 and when I mentioned another browser the people were dumbfounded. "What else can you use other than internet explorer?!?"
I was in best buy the other day and there were people shopping for a new PC who were marveling over an i3 with a 24in LED monitor saying it was an amazing PC even though it was sitting next an i7 2600 machine!
People don't need the traditional UI anymore. For most it just gives them more things to screw up! A few months ago my friends kids accidentally deleted important windows files and the OS wouldn't boot! Win8 would prevent that from happening!
Now, taking the ability to revert to the traditional UI would be THE WORST thing they could do, and I doubt they will, but this new UI will be a hit. You just need to think about the general public before you make assumptions. If the people at MSFT and apple didnt do that where would we be?!?
No, they clearly said that the new tile UI is for desktops as well... I don't know where you got this info but in the video he definately said that the new UI will be UNIVERSAL through all forms of hardware. Tablets....and DESKTOPS!
A potentially useful feature for someone that wants a standard UI for their phone, tablet, laptop and desktop (plus TV, car nav and entertainment center, refrigerator, etc etc?).
Maybe not so interesting for someone old and inflexible and set in their ways, but for the new users coming up likely to have all those devices in use at the same time a potential large benefit.
And there will be an optional (traditional) UI for those that don't want to use the default tile UI. Maybe not on phones or pads depending on the hardware spec, but mostly certainly on laptops or desktops.
That's what I said in my other post above. People are all nevous... "WHAT!?! They are killing Windows?!!"
NOOOO!! They are putting a nice blanket over it for all those people who don't really know what they are doing! Those of us that do...we can take that little blankie off and have full control!
This. What the hell is wrong with people.