Windows 8: IE10, Touchscreen Keyboards and File System Access

Anand Lal Shimpi on 6/2/2011 12:18:00 AM

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.

Source...



This is the Windows 8 Tablet & PC Interface

Anand Lal Shimpi on 6/1/2011 10:26:00 PM

Here's a quick look at the new start screen for Windows 8 running on a Dell XPS Development Tablet. The tablet supports both touch and external keyboard interfaces. The UI is ridiculously smooth, it seems even quicker than Windows Phone 7.

On tablets Windows 8 will support PlayBook like bezel gestures (the gestures actually take place on the first pixel next to the bezel, apparently not in the bezel itself). Gestures for the OS take place on the left/right edges of the screen, while app gestures happen on the top/bottom bezel.

Swipe in from the right to reveal the start button, and swipe in from the left to multitask. You just swipe between active apps like you would on a PlayBook.

The interface doesn't require a touchscreen, Microsoft showed how you can multitask or switch between screens using a keyboard on a standard PC as well. This will be a common interface across all Windows 8 devices, tablet or standard PC.

Tapping the start button switches between the standard Windows desktop and the new tile interface. You can even display multiple applications on the screen at the same time using Windows 8's snap feature.

With a widescreen display (apparently snap isn't supported yet on 4:3s) you can display two apps side by side in the new tablet style UI:

You can even have a standard Windows 8 desktop on one side and a new Windows 8 app on the other.

Microsoft also mentioned that Windows 8 will have the same system requirements or lower vs Windows 7.

Source...

I'm watching the first vlog on YouTube and I don't like the idea how there's basically no desktop and it's designed for touchscreens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p92Qf...&feature=feedu

Sorry, but I'm not a fan either. Especially of this new IE10. The URL bar at the bottom of the screen? Really?

I read somewhere it will have a different GUI for tablets and Laptop/Desktop.
That video was for the tablet GUI, looked interesting, thanks for the link.

Edit: confirmed above, new info coming out today as well.

There is nothing that says you have to, it's up to the individual to decide.

Stay with what you are comfortable with.

Personally, I always find new OS's and applications to be interesting, sometimes strange at first but have always liked the new ones more than the old ones. But that is just me.

It looks cool. And it stops there.

Yeah 90% of that is showing off the tablet interface and in that realm it's pretty sweet!!!

The desktop will be 95% the same as W7, with a couple added features here and there that may or may not be an improvement but it will not be earthshattering. Nothing even close to the XP->7 level of change.

Agree, looks good for future tablet use, the additional functionality is a step in the right direction.

Hope the Win8 finial has some desktop surprises for us, a couple of new features I've seen at Eight Forums are nice.