Microsoft reveals Metro replacement name

Confusing brand strategy unveiled.

Microsoft has officially abandoned the Metro name for its tile-based user interface in favour of the Windows 8 moniker.

Metro will be replaced by the Windows 8 moniker, despite the interface having first debuted on Windows Phone 7. It will be used as drop-in replacement - Metro UI will become Windows 8 UI, and Metro Apps will become Windows 8 Apps, according to ZDNet.

Reports first emerged Microsoft was ditching the term last week following a trademark dispute with German retailer Metro AG. Microsoft is yet to comment on a potential lawsuit.

The software giant reportedly urged third-party Windows 8 developers to remove all mention of the word 'Metro' from applications and related material after the retailer threatened to sue.

But Microsoft denied a potential lawsuit was the reason the name had been removed, claiming Metro had only ever been a codename.

The moniker has been used in marketing and other material for some time. It was used to identify the new tile-based user interface in Windows 8 and Windows Phone 7.

"We have used 'Metro style' as a code name during the product development cycle across many of our product lines. As we get closer to launch and transition from industry dialogue to a broad consumer dialogue we will use our commercial names,” the company said in a statement.

The next-gen Windows 8 operating system is set to be released to enterprises from September 1, and will be generally available on October 26.