September 9, 2012

Progress

With the transition from DOS to Windows, Microsoft put what used to be "the computer" inside an application.

Now, Microsoft is doing it again. In Windows 8, what used to be "the computer", the Windows Explorer, is now hidden away inside what essentially looks like just another application.

Which is why I think that this Verge video of a hands-on with a Windows RT tablet is a bit peculiar. It spends a lot of time in the Explorer; that's a bit like demonstrating Windows 95 by opening the DOS shell.

Addendum

Marco Arment notes:

The Office apps require the “DOS” environment, which will be a very big problem for Metro adoption.

Image Credits

Picture of DOS PC by Steve Petrucelli.

Picture of Windows PC by Karl Frankowski.

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designed for use cover

But wait, there's more!

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