14 DAY TRIAL // We already know that Windows 9 is very likely to revamp the desktop with a Start menu and minor tweaks that keep Metro elements in the touch-optimized interface exclusively, but it appears that some other enhancements are also on the table.
The Start screen for example, which is going to be offered only on devices that need it, such as tablets and other touch-capable units, will also be revamped with some features that would make it more helpful for those who don’t necessarily need a Start menu to get around the operating system.
WinBeta says that interactive live tiles, which we reported that could be part of Windows 9 a long time ago, are very likely to be included in Windows 9 preview builds.
This new concept, which was demoed by Microsoft’s Research unit earlier this year, makes live tiles more helpful by displaying details such as email contents, media playback controls and other options, thus allowing users to interact directly with the app without actually opening it.
Just like it happens with every new feature that requires support from developers, not all apps will come with interactive live tiles from the very beginning, but Microsoft will most likely offer support to those who want to introduce such a feature for their app.
Microsoft is making similar efforts on Windows Phone 8.1, where it has recently introduced transparent live tiles and is now hoping that more developers will eventually adopt this new design and bring their apps in line with the ones developed by the company itself.
What’s more interesting is that Windows 9 could also come with a notification center very similar to the one available on a smartphone operating system. Most likely based on the Windows Phone – Windows RT merger, this notification center would display actions such as app updates, new messages and everything related to your activity on the device.
Cortana is very likely to come with its very own Start screen live tile, but a shortcut or gesture is very likely to be integrated too.
Last but not least, the Start screen might come with live folder functionality, very similar to what we can see right now on Windows Phone 8.1 Update. It appears that this feature would be specifically ported to tablets running Windows 9 in order to provide better live tile managing options for those who like to keep things organized.
Of course, do not expect all these features to be part of the preview version coming out next month and a lot could change before the public launch in April 2015, but it’s a good thing that Microsoft is at least thinking about them.