A first look: Windows 8 consumer preview

The contentious new Start menu is key to understanding Microsoft's goals. The new Windows has two modes of operation. The first, sometimes called Metro-style, or the Immersive UI, is designed primarily for tablets and touch control, though Microsoft claims that it is equally easy to use with mouse and keyboard. The Start menu is on the Metro side, and features large chunky buttons, borrowing from the Windows Phone 7 user interface, and including the same Live Tile concept which allows applications to show updates and notifications within the buttons themselves.