Metro Style Start Panel

The "new" Windows Start Menu...

Launches and switches programs.
Consists of a flat, scrollable, non-hierarchical panel of large clickable or touchable icons called tiles, which often display "live" status information, images, or other dynamic content. In some respects, it is reminiscent of the box-of-icons approach used in Windows 3.x. It is similar to -- and serves the same function as -- the icon-based app selection mechanisms used in the Android and iOS mobile operating systems.
Was introduced in Windows Phone 7; is now featured in Windows 8.
Is a major component of what was previously known as "Metro Style", but is now called the "Modern Style" user interface.

About the touch menu

According to ChaitanyaSareen:
- "Just like the introduction of the mouse, innovations like this do not happen without new OS support, new apps, and new hardware"
- "We believe that, as with the mouse, we will see touch augmenting, but not replacing, most every aspect of the PC experience over time"
- "Moving beyond the Start menu, people now rely on the Taskbar, notification area, and desktop icons to launch applications and perform other tasks"
- "The goal behind the Windows 8 Start menu was to take all of those elements and create a more harmonious approach"

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