Windows 11 is much more than a new theme slapped onto Windows 10

In many ways, the new look is reminiscent of compiz-based Linux desktop environments circa 2010—but with significantly higher resolution and a more coherent overall theme.Microsoft Chief Product Officer Panos Panay ties the new look to eyebrow-raising statements about emotion: "We understand the responsibility of [functionality and practicality] more than ever before, but it must also be personal—and maybe most importantly, it must feel emotional."We doubt anyone but Panay will get misty-eyed about the new look—but the ubiquitous translucent borders do serve to reassure users that their real work is still present, untouched, behind pop-up elements such as the new personalized widget feed.Earlier versions of Windows experimented with introducing a newsfeed directly into the Start menu—a feature that few Windows users seemed to appreciate, and many utterly loathed. In a brief demonstration, he tells us that the clear separation between news feed and real applications allows him to "check stuff without disturbing his workflow."Head of Game Creator Experience Sarah Bond outlined several new gaming-related features in Windows 11:Games can be purchased directly through the Xbox app—which seems to be taking direct aim at Valve's Steam platform, with similar appearance and features.Windows 11's newly improved Microsoft Store is, according to Panay, "rebuilt from the ground up" and makes it easier for developers to host and sell Win32 apps, Progressive Web Apps, and Universal Web Platform apps side by side.Microsoft is also changing the financial terms of its store—Panay describes the revamped store as offering "industry-leading revenue share" for developers. Panay described the Android environment as powered by Intel bridge technology, and it demonstrated several apps (including TikTok) running flawlessly in phone-shaped and tablet-shaped windows.The Android apps themselves are "discoverable through the Microsoft Store using the Amazon app store." That accessibility was demonstrated with what looked like the same app store you'd see on a Fire HD tablet, reskinned for Windows 11 integration.Developers interested in the new app store updates can attend a Microsoft Store deep dive later today, at 3 pm EDT.You must login or create an account to comment.Join the Ars Orbital Transmission mailing list to get weekly updates delivered to your inbox.