Furthermore, the amount of time (seven years) and the number of blends (more than 50) it took to derive the final product suggests that McDonald's has gone through much effort to ensure that the switch will go smoothly.

FORBES: McDonald's Arches Still Golden

It is unquestioningly accepted at home and widely used beyond the euro area's borders. (Several countries, including Montenegro and Kosovo, use the euro as their currency without formally belonging to the euro zone.) The switch from old currency to new went remarkably smoothly, though consumers in many countries complained, perhaps predictably, that they were charged higher prices as merchants rounded up to new price-points in euros.

ECONOMIST: Holding together

Touch functionality will also provide a fast, fluid way to switch between apps, move items within apps, or smoothly navigate from place to place.

ENGADGET: Targus debuts the Touch Pen for Windows 8, we go hands-on (video)