Microsoft has posted a great design case study on how to convert a typical iPad app to a Windows 8 Metro style app. It’s worth a read. What bugs me with the Metro approach, however, is very apparent here: it’s not about creating an app that is easy to use, it’s about creating an app that looks great.

Case in point: in the study’s iPad app, going through the archive is easily discoverable and easy accessible. Tap “Years” in the top left corner and choose a year. In Metro: make pinch gesture over the This Month area. In Microsoft’s own words: “Users can navigate entirely by manipulating the content without using chrome or navigating to a different page.” The problem is of course that the area doesn’t look pinchable, and there are no visual cues that would make you think the archive feature even exists.

This is what Microsoft seems to be telling developers: Make everything clean but hard to use. Be sure to hide all buttons and make nothing discoverable.