Concept shows that live tiles could be used as gadgets

Jan 19, 2015 13:32 GMT  ·  By

In Windows 10, Microsoft brings back the Start menu, but with a twist. The old Windows 7 Start menu has been revamped to feature the modern live tiles, previously available on the Windows 8 Start screen only, thus making it look and feel a bit new, but dumping the traditional and very helpful familiar interface.

Many said that live tiles shouldn't exist in modern Windows and Microsoft should actually stick to the traditional UI that was offered in Windows 7, but there's no doubt that this new feature is here to stay on both the desktop and tablet.

And what's more, now some believe that live tiles should be brought to the desktop and act as gadgets, a feature that was previously available in Windows 7 but removed in Windows 8.

Popular request on UserVoice

Right now, this is actually one of the requests that are quickly gaining ground on UserVoice, the main feedback platform where users can ask Microsoft to implement specific features in Windows 10.

Here's the original poster's message that perfectly describes how live tiles should work on the desktop:

“In Windows 7 and Vista, we had desktop widgets so we could see at a glance information - weather, RSS, etc. I would like the ability to pin Interactive Live Tiles to the desktop in Windows 10 just like this. No grid, just pin it and move it around on the desktop. So, I could have an accuweather live tile with its 5-day forecast showing on a two-tile-width tile. I swipe on the tile and it shows me more days. I tap on it to open the app windowed on the desktop.”

Concept shows it's doable

A designer called FourthEchelon19 created a concept that imagines the way live tiles would be integrated into the desktop, making it very clear that such a feature isn't really difficult to develop.

As you can see for yourselves by clicking the photo above, live tiles on the desktop could indeed behave as traditional gadgets, and what's more, they could also perform a number of tasks and display information without the need to launch the apps themselves.

At the same time, they could also represent a neat way to bring Modern apps on the desktop, as Microsoft is still looking into ways to create the perfect mix for desktop PCs.