Microsoft Office 15 technical preview shows a Metro feel

In the context of Office 15, which eventually became Office 2013, Microsoft incorporated elements of the Metro design language to create a touch interface. This was in line with the growing trend of touch devices such as tablets and touchscreen laptops.

Some key features and changes that were likely part of the touch focus in Office 15 (Office 2013) include:

1. **Optimized touch UI:** 2.

The user interface was designed to work well with touch inputs, with icons, buttons and larger spaces to accommodate touch gestures. This was a departure from the traditional mouse-centric interface.

2. Clean and simplified design:** **.

Metro’s design philosophy emphasized simplicity and a clean look and feel. This was reflected in the visual elements of Office 2013, which featured a flatter design and a focus on typography.

3. **Improved touch gestures

Office applications were probably optimized for touch gestures, such as pinch-to-zoom, swipe and tap, to provide a more intuitive experience on touch devices.

4. **Full screen mode

Full-screen modes in Office applications would have allowed users to take full advantage of the screen space available on touch devices.

5. **Integration with Cloud Services.

Office 2013 also emphasized integration with Microsoft cloud services, enabling seamless document synchronization and collaboration across devices.

The information you’ve provided offers more insight into the nature of the Microsoft Office 15 Technical Preview and its integration of Metro design principles. Here are the key points from the information he has shared:

1. **Metro-influenced desktop application:** 2.

Despite being a desktop application at its core, Microsoft Office 15 (which eventually became Office 2013) was heavily influenced by the Metro design language. This influence was reflected in the design and user interface of the software.

2. General description of Paul Thurrott:** **.

Paul Thurrott gave a comprehensive overview of the technical preview of Microsoft Office 15. This preview version of Office 15 was in a private beta phase and users were required to comply with a confidentiality agreement.

3. Presence of Metro in the user interface:** **.

The Metro design language was integrated into the Office 15 user interface. This design language is characterized by its clean, minimalist and tactile approach. Despite being a desktop application, Office 15 adopted these design principles.

4. **Metro desktop window and home screen:** ** **Metro desktop window and home screen:** 5.

Office 15 ran as a desktop application within a window in the traditional desktop environment. When accessed through the Windows 8 Metro Start screen, the software displayed traditional desktop icons. There were 19 icons in total, each representing one of the individual Office programs and utilities.

5. Cleaning potential:** **.

Thurrott speculated that the icons could be cleaned up and refined before the final version of Office 15 is released. This suggests that Microsoft was actively working to refine the user experience and interface elements.

6. Touch and desktop integration:** ** **Touch and desktop integration.

The integration of the Metro design into a desktop application hinted at Microsoft’s effort to create a consistent user experience on both touch devices and traditional desktop systems.

This information sheds light on how Microsoft was adapting its popular Office suite to align with the Metro design language and adapt to the changing landscape of devices, including touch systems.

The additional information he provided describes in greater detail the efforts Microsoft was making to cater to tablet users and improve the touch experience within the desktop version of Office 15. Below is a summary of the key points:

1. **Touch mode suitable for tablets:** 2.

Microsoft introduced a «touch mode» in the desktop version of Office 15 to better accommodate tablet users. This mode increased the size of buttons and other interface elements, making them more tactile and easier to interact with on tablets.

2. **Full screen editing:** **Full screen editing:**

Office 15 allowed users to edit Word documents in full-screen mode. This was particularly useful for tablet users, as it solved the problem of a software keyboard covering part of the screen, providing a smoother editing experience.

3. **Paul Thurrott’s coverage:** ** **Paul Thurrott’s coverage:** ** **Paul Thurrott’s coverage.

Paul Thurrott’s coverage of the Office 15 Technical Preview included several screenshots showing the full Office suite. His blog gave readers the opportunity to get a visual glimpse of the changes and enhancements.

4. **Limited official information:** **Limited official information:** **Limited official information:** **Limited official information:**

Microsoft had revealed limited official details about Office 15 at the time. The company had indicated that it would be a major overhaul of the Office suite, with ambitious goals for the Office Division.

5. Uncertainty about the Metro-Style application:** ** **Uncertainty about the Metro-Style application:** ** **Uncertainty about the Metro-Style application

It was unclear whether Microsoft would release a dedicated Metro-style application as part of Office 15. This uncertainty highlights the company’s exploratory approach to integrating Metro design principles into its applications.

6. **Launch date and public beta:**

Microsoft had not announced a definitive release date for the final version of Office 15. Reports suggested that the company was aiming to finish it by the end of the year, but it could potentially move into next year. A public beta was expected during the summer, which would likely provide more information about Office 15’s features and capabilities.

Overall, this information provides a snapshot of the development and direction Microsoft was taking with Office 15, especially in terms of touch optimization and adapting the software to evolving hardware trends such as tablets.