Tim Stevens has an in-depth look at the Windows 8 Consumer Preview on Engadget. He seems to generally like individual parts but:

Now, as we creep closer to a likely release near the end of this year, we can’t shake a sense of doubt. Windows 8 still feels like two very different operating systems trying to be one.

Newsflash: “No compromises” is actually a huge compromise.

Sam Moreau talks about the redesign of the Windows logo on the Windows Blog:

We have evolved from a world of rudimentary low resolution graphics to today’s rich high-resolution systems. And what started as a simple “window” to compliment the product name became a flying or waving flag.

It’s true that the Windows logo has long looked like a waving flag, which makes absolutely no sense. And the new logo is better. But it brings up a bigger question: why is it still called “Windows” at all?

Yes, the desktop variety will still have windows. But the mobile/tablet variety is geared towards the “tile”-style of Metro. In fact, as Moreau points out, Metro heavily influenced the new logo design.

To recap: a tile-based UI influenced the new design of the Windows logo, which previous looks less like a window and more like a waving flag.

Okay. I’m just waiting for Microsoft Windows: Tile Edition XP 2013 Pro.

John Gruber on the ridiculous assertions that Apple should be worried about Microsoft’s upcoming Windows 8 strategy for tablets and Amazon’s strategy for the Kindle Fire:

This is a recurring theme. Someone does something different than Apple, has some success with it, and pundits like Kingsley-Hughes start arguing that Apple needs to change course and do what the other guys are doing. Exhibit A: the Kindle Fire. It’s selling well — nowhere near as well as the iPad, mind you, but it’s not collecting dust in warehouses like most other tablets are — prompting some to argue that Apple “must” release a $250 7-inch tablet too.

See also: netbooks. Remember, Apple absolutely had to make a netbook or they would be toast.

Apple didn’t, the market for netbooks collapsed, and Apple looked like geniuses for not doing what the pundits said they needed to do just months earlier. 

That’s fine. But the real question is: how on Earth did anyone working at Microsoft look at something like this nonsense and think it was fine in the first place?

The fact that they needed this feedback is actually the most troubling thing here.

Mary Jo Foley reports that Microsoft may drop the traditional Windows desktop element of Windows 8 for ARM tablets. What’s odd is that this idea of having it both ways (Windows desktop and the new Metro touch experience) was key to an argument Windows chief Steven Sinofsky made back in August about Windows 8.

Of course, that argument for “no compromise” read exactly like the definition of a compromise. So if true, I think this is the right move. 

But what’s not yet clear is if this is only the case for ARM tablets (that’s how it sounds). x86-powered tablets may still run the dual-action Windows 8. Also not clear: what about ARM-powered notebooks/netbooks? 

It’s starting to sound a lot like your typical 14-option approach from Microsoft. Windows 8 Tablet Touch Live Professional Edition ‘12 for ARM Tablets with Bing anyone?

Frederic Lardinois:

While Sinofsky says that the design goal for Microsoft is “no compromises,” it’s hard to see how it’s not a compromise to add two completely different user interfaces to an operating system.

Exactly right. That’s precisely what this decision boils down to. Compromise. 

Yes, I’m linking to myself. I’m just still so confused. How is this seriously what Microsoft is going to release in 2012?

“Invert selection” is a default option that’s shown.

It’s not even that this is extremely cluttered, it’s just everything about it. It has to be one of the worst UIs I’ve ever seen. Period.

If Microsoft is showing this off as a trick to then “wow” everyone at their actual Windows 8 unveiling, then good on them. Otherwise, I’m left with one of two thoughts:

1) I’m an idiot and have no idea what customers want.

2) Microsoft is in serious trouble.

Well, that’s one way to kill your fledgling tablet. Hint that you’ll soon be backing a competitor as well. Brilliant. 

HP is really starting to worry me. Somewhere Mark Hurd is smiling. “Somewhere” being in Oracle’s boardroom.