And, yes, there is intelligence in the Charms Bar. It provides quick & easy access to functions that go with whatever is on the screen at the time; it is dedicated which makes it a great tool.. It makes things handy (convenient) & simple... a nice 'hub'
for activities & tasks associated w/ whatever one has in front of them at any given time.
Well, I, for one, love it & I know many, many others who do, as well. Took me no time at all to "adjust" to it. And I can have others enjoying it in a matter of a very, very, few minutes; all my clients think it's great. I, also, write in 4 other tech forums
and one can find tons of praise & good, positive things being said about Win8; as there should be.
As for APPs, the use of them is 100% optional; as is the use of the Start screen. Some are useful, some are just fun but, none are required or obligatory.
Win8, still, has the good ole Desktop; which, by the way, is where I spend 100% of my time AND I find & access everything from there w/out ever changing screens.
8 is both better & easier than any prior Windows. It is far less trouble to navigate, performance is better and its many cool Features surpass anything before it.
I would be glad to give you some tips, cool tricks & guidance such that you can enjoy using this excellent OS and appreciate it rather than, admonish it.
Cheers,
Drew