Review: Pokki shows the Windows 8 that might have been

January 19, 2013

The death of the Start menu is way up there on my personal list of modern tech tragedies and epic Microsoft blunders. It's almost as egregious as Microsoft Bob, but not as funny. Fortunately, there's no lack of ways to bring it back, from traditional-looking applications such as Classic Shell to bolder reimaginings such as Pokki, a free start menu and app store that shows what Windows 8 might have been. First and foremost, it's a Start menu. Click the button or tap the Windows key on your keyboard, Pokki displays a list of applications that doesn't take over your entire screen. Start typing, and potential applications instantly pop up, alongside custom Pokki apps and real-time results from the Web (something the traditional Start menu doesn't offer). The default theme is light, and the whole thing feels nice and airy. Pokki's new, clean look keeps things simple and readable. Pokki's search is useful, but it isn't perfect: Apps from the Pokki store are highlighted (even if you've decided you don't want to install them), and there is no way to mix documents from your local hard drive into the search results. Web results are quick to appear, but they tend to be too general. There is no way to search a specific website, such as YouTube. Now, about those apps: These used to be the core of the Pokki experience, back when Windows still had a Start button. Now, they're there mainly to offer added value. It feels like Pokki does want you to know about them and install them, but it isn't overly pushy about it (except for prominently featuring them in search results). Being subtle about a new breed of apps is exactly the sort of thing that could have won Windows 8 some points, and Pokki gets it right. To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here

Link: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2025764/review-pokki-shows-the-windows-8-that-might-have-been.html