Mining Redstone 4: Fluent Design System (Premium)

I'm going to go deep on individual new features in Windows 10 version 1803 ("Redstone 4") as they're revealed. So let's catch-up and start with something visual: The Fluent Design System.

One of the more interesting and confusing aspects of Windows 10 is that there isn't any one thing called Windows 10. Instead, Microsoft maintains various pre-release and production releases of the system simultaneously. And on top of that, it also updates the built-in apps on their own separate schedules.

As confusing, Microsoft is slowing rolling out a new design language for Windows 10 called the Fluent Design System. This new design provides a number of modern touches that will collectively take Windows into its next decade. But the way Microsoft is rolling it out, frankly, is a bit bizarre.

For example, it first added some Fluent Design touches to Windows 10 version 1703 (Redstone 2, or the Creators Update) before it even documented what it was doing. Then, in Windows 10 version 1709 (Redstone 3, or the Fall Creators Update), it added more. It is adding Fluent touches to individual apps as we move forward---and, seriously, if you haven't done so in a while, be sure to check out the newly Fluent-ized Mail and Calendar apps---and it is adding more in Redstone 4.

The "bizarre" bit refers to the fact that this work will evolve based on feedback. That is, Microsoft isn't dictating what Fluent "is," it is actively seeking feedback from Insiders and will change the design based on that feedback as we move forward. So the Fluent Design bits that have been rolled out publicly could actually change as we move forward. Everything is fluid. (Maybe that should have been the name.)

With regards to Redstone 4 specifically, we've seen a number of Fluent Design System improvements already. These changes have appeared over the first several builds.

Way back in September, Microsoft added the first new Fluent Design System-based change to Redstone 4, the Reveal light effect---which uses light to make interactive elements more obvious---to the Start menu. As its name suggests, Reveal reveals hidden borders using light, and it also gently illuminates the edges of nearby interactive elements.

So what does this mean in practice?

Consider today's Start menu: As you mouse over the app list on the left, each item is visually "selected," indicating that you can, in fact, select it. (By clicking on it.)

But Reveal is a cool addition: Now, as you mouse over the app list, each item lights up to reveal its previously-hidden border. And the items above and below that item are more subtly lit up, indicating that they can be selected as well.

There's more. You can also mouse left and right over an individual item. As you do, the selection area moves with the mouse, like a bulge or a light in the dark. It's subtle but quite attractive.

In build 17025 in late October, Microsoft also added Reveal to the Calendar View that appears when you s...