(updated: better samples) 4x4 tiles and more startscreen background choices: yay or nay?

[Ma Rio]

4x4 tiles - definitely yay,
custom background - yay, but it can get ugly, soo..idk, but still yay.

 

[jmerrey]

I'm actually surprised MS didn't put a 4x4 tile into the upcoming firmware, it seems to be made for the 5"+ screens. I think it looks good. As for the backgrounds, I can't stand how cluttered it looks. I would probably use solid colors, but not pictures. My mom's iPhone is filled with icons and a family picture on the background; I'm not sure how she can make out anything. That said, it seems like some people want it, so why not?

 

[Ma Rio]

I'm actually surprised MS didn't put a 4x4 tile into the upcoming firmware, it seems to be made for the 5"+ screens. I think it looks good. As for the backgrounds, I can't stand how cluttered it looks. I would probably use solid colors, but not pictures. My mom's iPhone is filled with icons and a family picture on the background; I'm not sure how she can make out anything. That said, it seems like some people want it, so why not?

Yea, just what I'm thinking, if you put a picture you won't see 80% of it. But it could be cool with some patterns, like the 2nd one HERE.

 

[KRayn3r]

I LOVE the 4x4 tile size which is particularly useful for weather (as you have shown). Here's a tip though. For the background images, why don't you Gaussian Blur them? That way they won't clash as much with the tiles themselves

 

[twelvetudors]

I like the larger tiles (you could also add a 3x3 that could scale down easily) but the backgrounds make it way too busy, I think it should be restricted to colors.

 

[Chris_Kez]

My mom's iPhone is filled with icons and a family picture on the background; I'm not sure how she can make out anything. That said, it seems like some people want it, so why not?

As someone previously mentioned your tiles cover up almost the entire Start screen anyway. Also, the flat design and lack of shading means that the background provides the only consistent way to separate and define tiles. While a few patterns might work okay, you'd end up with lots of start screens that were just terrible; that's bad for WP overall.

 

[neo158]

What would be the point in having a Start Screen background when 99% of it is covered with tiles?

 

[iAdrian23]

What would be the point in having a Start Screen background when 99% of it is covered with tiles?

I don't know. Ask Windows 8.1

 

[Chris_Kez]

Okay, having seen the 1520 in person this weekend at an AT&T store I definitely think a 4x4 tile would be awesome.

 

[onlinespending]

Okay, having seen the 1520 in person this weekend at an AT&T store I definitely think a 4x4 tile would be awesome.

Agreed. For a phablet, it would definitely be nice to have. The custom background picture on the homescreen would be nice to have regardless of the screen size. So double yay!

 

[Chris_Kez]

I don't know. Ask Windows 8.1

That's a little different. First, I think the background image option was added in part to ease people's transition to the metro UI and make it less jarring to move back and forth between desktop and metro.
Second, there is a LOT more visible background area because of the large borders, the space between app groups, and the fact that you can have entire sections uncovered if you have few apps pinned.