Windows 8: IE10, Touchscreen Keyboards and File System Access
by Anand Lal Shimpi on June 2, 2011 12:18 AM EST- Posted in
- Trade Shows
- Microsoft
- Computex 2011
- Windows 8
Microsoft showed us IE10 on Windows 8, which honestly has a very iOS-like feel to it. You get smooth scrolling and panning, with a PlayBook style support for tabs. It's amazing how much of the Windows 8 UI looks a lot like RIM's first tablet.
The URL bar is hidden by default but it's actually at the bottom of the screen when revealed. Microsoft has a couple of touchscreen keyboard options, a standard mobile OS keyboard and a split version that lets you type with two thumbs while holding a tablet.
Microsoft also showed that you've got full access to the underlying file system regardless of whether you're in standard Windows mode or the new tile based start screen with lighter weight HTML5 apps.
Overall I'm very impressed with what Microsoft has shown thus far. It's a pretty well done mix of a tablet based UI without giving up the traditional Windows interface.
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Fritzr - Friday, June 3, 2011 - link
Even with standard retail pricing Windows 7 Home is $63 per license when buying the Family Pack. Plus the Service Packs (Win 7.1, Win 7.2) are free of charge as opposed to the equivalent OSX packages at $30 each.Windows OS costs a bit more because it is not subsidized by the hardware purchase. A Windows computer is usually cheaper than it's Mac equivalent even after including the cost of the OS.
TCO is key ... the operating system is just one component of TCO
yyrkoon - Friday, June 3, 2011 - link
I know people who beta Microsoft software, and pay nothing( I used to beta test myself). I know others who have a premium MSDN subscription, or are MS partners. That pay little to nothing. All legally.yyrkoon - Friday, June 3, 2011 - link
You paid $30 for snow leopard, and how much for Mac hardware again ? Because any other way, and you're using their software illegally.OSX *is* BSD, with aqua for a UI. Whoopty dink. It's still BSD.
then how you read that I said OSX was nailed by MacDefender . . . I haven't a clue. I guess you've never heard of Windows Defender eh ?
After that, like the commenter under your comment pretty much stated. An Operating system is only as good as the user using it.
yyrkoon - Friday, June 3, 2011 - link
Also, I'd like to know where you can buy an Apple laptop for $400 with a copy of OSX already installed on it. New, with fairly decent hardware in it.You can not. Yet, you can get a low power and lesser performing Intel system with a modern version of Windows on it. From a reputable name brand no less.
And before you claim I am full of it. I suggest you spend a few months watching bens bargains, and observe.
Will it have have a nice shinny aluminum casing wrapped it around it ? No. It also wont increase your self perceived manhood either.
RobinPanties - Friday, June 24, 2011 - link
True, but you paid $2000 for a $800 computer... so, you're really paying like $1200 for MacOSB3an - Thursday, June 2, 2011 - link
Anand said it's more like RIM's playbook UI. He was just pointing out it's as smooth as iOS. I think a better comparison would have been WP7 which is even smoother.You cant "copy" smoothness though, theres either smooth, or not smooth.
medi01 - Thursday, June 2, 2011 - link
In other words Anand made very confusing statement when trying to praise Apple.Saying something is very iOS like just because it has smooth scrolling is a rather silly .
B3an - Thursday, June 2, 2011 - link
Yep it's not well worded. He does that a lot though. He likes to mention Apple whenever possible and it's getting old.StormyParis - Thursday, June 2, 2011 - link
i don't know if i've already jumped the shark, but i have difficulty doing anything else than navigating to it + clicking to launch a file, and using good old shell and tools to synch data.ahmadamaj - Thursday, June 2, 2011 - link
Is it true that Steven said that Microsoft Windows President Steven Sinofsky said that all these are apps running on top of windows and that you could return anytime to the regular windows desktop?