Windows 8.1 - One month on
After installing Windows 8.1 in July and with the impending final release in of the final code in August, I thought it might be a good idea to review how thing went since my initial post..... what have I noticed the most?
Split screen - This really is more noticeable and important than you would think. Previously, using Windows 8 with multiple applications on the screen has meant deciding on which application you wanted to work within and the other was displayed limited information (like the sidebar from Windows Vista). In Windows 8.1, this is no longer the case as I have found myself using two applications running 50/50 quite a lot of the time, most of it as Internet Explorer in one half researching and something like Word or OneNote taking notes.#
New Windows Store - The new Windows Store is massively improved and much easier to read. It's a 'joy' to scroll through and browse which is simply something you wouldn't have done with the previous one,
Different sized tiles - Interestingly enough this is one of the things that I have not taken to as much. It's the same situation on my Windows Phone 8 mobile where I also have pretty much stuck to the standard size of tiles. I think this might be partially due to some slight OCD I might have about neatly arranged tiles but another element could be that not a lot of applications currently make the most of the 'large' option. Perhaps over time as more applications become 'large tile ready', I will start to use this more, perhaps I wont because I find it hard to arrange them all in a line ;)
Will I upgrade when the final release comes out? Yeah!. As a rule, I tend to embrace updates rather than fear them but the thing I am looking forward to the most is having data, settings and the tiles sync across my Surface and desktop. When this happens, I think the line in my head between laptop and tablet will blur even more, creating a single interface accessible whether I am at home (on the laptop perhaps) or on the move (via the Surface).
Bring it on!