Topic: Microsoft ditches Metro... in name only

[Simon]

Microsoft is to ditch the Metro brand from Windows 8 and other platforms following a trademark infringement complaint.

Metro – Microsoft's codename for the tile-based interface used in Windows Phone 7 and the upcoming Windows 8 - will be rebranded, according to internal emails seen by The Verge.

Although the name change won't affect the design of the software, it is a marketing complication, with apps developed for Windows Phone 7 and Windows 8 long referred to as Metro-style apps.

Microsoft, however, played down the issue by suggesting a name change was always likely.

"We have used Metro style as a codename during the product development cycle across many of our product lines," Microsoft said in a statement.

"As we get closer to launch and transition from industry dialogue to a broad consumer dialogue we will use our commercial names."

Read more: http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/376207/microsoft-ditches-metro-in-name-only