June 5, 2011 10:00 pm EDT

Switched On: As Windows loses its windows

Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

You say you want a revolution? Well, you know... . you might get one if you're a patient Windows user. With Windows' eighth major release (at least according to Microsoft's math), its name is becoming metaphorical. Taking on a default look that is rooted in Windows Phone 7 -- the first "Windows" to eschew windows -- with a smattering of Media Center, the next major version of Windows marks an overhaul of the initial user interface. Indeed, it is even a more radical departure than Apple made between Mac OS X and iOS, which preserved a scaled-down dock and icons, or between Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X.

Apple's and Microsoft's approaches are similar in at least one way -- each has one operating system for PCs and another for phones. Clearly, though, the longtime operating system rivals have taken different tacks with tablets.

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Switched On: As Windows loses its windows originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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