Microsoft to drop 'Metro' name for Windows 8
A potential trademark dispute has forced Microsoft to drop the Metro name for Windows 8's blocky, tile-based interface.
A potential trademark dispute has forced Microsoft to drop the Metro name for Windows 8's blocky, tile-based interface.
What works for America doesnt always go over so well elsewhere.
Chevrolet had problems marketing the Chevy Nova automobile in Latin America. Since no va means "it doesn't go" in Spanish, the oft-repeated story goes, Latin American car buyers shunned the car, forcing Chevrolet to embarrassedly pull the car out of the market.
SHITRO Is my 2 cents for the new name.
Right! I'm going to call BS on this. Not that MS is dropping the Metro name but because they say it's a copyright issue. A German retail giant can stop a name for an OS, a common used name for a lot of other businesses, hmmmm. It's not the US, think a European court could see the difference between a product and a company.
I'll put my tin foil hat on ... and say the MS found it too much of a problem securing web sites, trying to market a product that is now has a tarnished name and just generally think that what they had planed for the new look 'Metro' is not going their way.
So a lot of smart guys got around a big table and asked how can we fix this bad Metro perception. I know lets call it Windows 8 ...
I like you......you're funny. Here's a good alternative. Windows Egg......
Okay, so what's this German retail giant going to do about the French using "Metro" for their underground rail system?
And the bus company in Tasmania called "Metro"?
Or the computer repair place in Brisbane called Metro PC?
Not to mention the George St. Brisbane bar called the Metro
And my dress-up/going into the big city shoes... called my Metro shoes, as opposed to my stay-at-home slippers named: "my stay-at-home slippers".
Yeah, Metro is too widely used to be trademarkable, in my opinion.... and I'm sure the Metro Brothel owners in Ipswich would agree, as would the licensee of the Metro Hotel [orright, it's really called the Metropole, but what's a little pole between friends] in Brisbane St. Ipswich.
Anyway, that's all beside the point, MS needs to change the name from Metro, and I vote for 'Optional'... as in optional by name and optional by nature. In fact, I reckon there should be a Windows 8 version that is Metro -less... to save those of us with any remaining sense and dignity the pain and indignation of having to click the opt out of Metro button during installation.
Moreover, I propose that MS and Mozilla bite the browser wars bullet and have the latest version of Firefox pre-installed on ALL Windows 8 versions. I mean, with metered internet these days, and it's so expensive, too, it's costing us to download Firefox and I can't see why MS and Mozilla just can't get along.
The other thing I want in Windows 8 is a Total Google blocker.... do that, MS and I'll happily buy 2 licenses for $39.99.
Perhaps they didn't want their good name associated with an impending fail of epic proportions.
Where were they when American motorists were introduced to the Geo Metro? 1/3 of a car with 3/8 of a motor.

this reminds me when cadbury got all psycho over the colour purple and bought the rights to it cause another company wanted to use it...
i have a name for microsoft if they want it....
"Hell Gates"
"Microsperm"
"Kill Bill"
.... just a few suggestions...
Isn't that the particularly virulent strain that could break through condoms, and was developed by a former world leader to ensure his seed carried on the family name?
I like the name of the article listed in the related threads are at the bottom of that news post titled Valve: Windows 8 a 'catastrophe''. So that's an excellent Metro replacement name, just call it the 'catastrophe' UI!
Windows Fiasco
Hey, that does have a nice ring to it.
That's a real good one too Wiz!
Well, if they want to get back to being able to customise things instead of The One Desktop To Rule Them All, how about <Insert Name Here>? Let the users decide on a witty name to apply when the new interface is loaded.
Window PAIN.
Windows Bain.
Windows H8.
Okay, in all seriousness, since it resembles the Speed Dial on most browsers, and it's sort of like the Xbox dashboard, they could try combining those in some way to come up with a new name.
ERMAHGERD SPERDBERD!
Hahaha no.
Quoting Wizard1956, reply 1What works for America doesnt always go over so well elsewhere.
Chevrolet had problems marketing the Chevy Nova automobile in Latin America. Since no va means "it doesn't go" in Spanish, the oft-repeated story goes, Latin American car buyers shunned the car, forcing Chevrolet to embarrassedly pull the car out of the market.
Where the hell do you get this stuff?
Certainly not from snopes! http://www.snopes.com/business/misxlate/nova.asp
Even though the story is false, I'm sure there have been a number of similar if less popular examples.
How about Windows Retro?
Graphically, they are going backwards.
Good find, jackswift85. The source I used never claimed it to be true, just oft-repeated.
Windows the User Slayer. 'cause we're killing ourselves laughing at it. ![]()
Yeah, Purposefully And Intentionally Niggling
A large company like MS would not give up a brand they had spent a lot of time and money creating. It would fight tooth and nail to keep it (and win). The only reason to give up a brand, if the brand is not worth keeping.... Still nothing has changed, it's the same beast, no matter what you call it.
Windows Squares
And with a celebrity in each square, Microsoft launches its new game, built right into the GUI.
Windows Celebrity Squares.
That's right, folks, step right up and play Windows Celebrity Squares.
Pick the right celebrity face and you can win some fabulous prizes... absolutely free.
For example, if you picked Paul Lynde, you could win a free trip to the set of Bewitched.
Or if you picked Bob Denver you could win a free trip to the set of Gilligan's Island.
But wait, folks, there's more!!! Pick Steve Ballmer or another famous Microsoft employee
and you could unlock the Windows 8 special GodMode, which allows the user to find hidden
settings, like how to disable the old Metro for the new, and replacing the start button.
But wait, there's more!!! Purchase Windows 8 with the Free Windows Celebrity Squares
within the next 10 minutes for the once in a lifetime low price of $9.99 [less tax] we will
throw in a Start menu to go with that Start Button absolutely free.
Hurry, this offer lasts only today, so do not wait, buy Windows 8 with Windows Celebrity Squares
today or miss out. Only hours remaining, so pick up the phone and order your copy right now
to enjoy a lifetime of fun [or until Windows 9 is released with Windows Celebrity Family Feud]
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