Microsoft reportedly rebranding Metro to Windows 8

In addition to last week’s rumor surrounding Microsoft’s alleged plan to drop the already-familiar “Metro” name in favor of the rather lengthy “Windows 8 style UI” to avoid a possible legal dispute, ZDNet now claims that Microsoft may very well indeed replace the former with the latter. According to sources, Microsoft has already decided on a new substitute terminology that also sounds very familiar.

And guess what, ZDNet says that it will be plainly “Windows 8”. The publication also pointed out Lenovo’s new promo page for its newly-unveiled Windows 8 Thinkpad Tablet 2 as a proof of the much simpler Windows 8 name (see green arrow). So far, Microsoft hasn’t responded yet to the reports. Just a few days ago, we also heard rumors that Microsoft has also rebranded its Windows Phone Marketplace to Windows Phone Store. 

Anything currently/formerly known as a “Metro-Style application” (with or without a hyphen) will now be known officially as a “Windows 8 application.” References to the “Metro user interface” will now be replaced by “Windows 8 user interface.” And instead of saying “Metro design,” the Softies and those adhering to their official guidelines will be using the words “Windows 8 design.”

Gene Ryan Briones
Categories: Computers
Tags: Microsoft, Windows 8