Microsoft Previews Windows 8 for Tablets and PCs

[tigres]

psst.. you really dont build ecosystems, and given Apples historical failure, praising them to the skies is a bit out of line. Heck, the OS x ecosystem is quite crap even now (comparatively), isnt it?

Pssst: yes they did, look around.

 

[coldmack]

Yap, every single thing MS does fails.

And no, Active Desktop has nothing to do with Metro interface or Live Tiles

Are you kidding? They both were HTML base(well W8 is more HTML 5) and I don't think it really came out the way MS wanted it to. I remember reading sites and magazines that showed how 98 had this supposedly cool thing coming out, but again it never full did what MS intended to do in their retail version of 98, and XP seemingly seemed to dropped it. Now 13 or so odd years later they are rehashing and trying to modernizing that same failed idea in their newest OS. Give me a break.

I take it you prefer the iOS garbage look? As long as the Apple glasses are used, it's great!

No, iOS is to simplistic, I am actually a fan of Mameo and even MeeGo(imho Intel's best work ever).

 

[adder7712]

Apple beats Microsoft in releasing Windows 8
http://www.roughlydrafted.com/2011/09/16/apple-beats-microsoft-in-releasing-windows-8/

Quotes from above article:

"Apple has already beaten the company in releasing a hardware accelerated, animated web browser. It’s called Safari 5."

"Just for the record, I don’t “hate” Windows 8, I’m just not impressed to see Microsoft being hailed as “futuristic” for demonstrating early betas still a year away from fruition of its copy of work Apple pioneered several years ago."

"Metro Tiles don’t represent new technology; they’re just an example of adding flash to something that doesn’t need it."

"That’s distraction. The real technology behind the scenes, which Apple uses to functionally animate transitions to guide navigation and make iOS (and Mac OS X) feel responsive and look cool, is that OpenGL foundation Apple began laying in 2001 with Mac OS X, where everything on the screen was mapped to a surface just like the background walls of a third person shooter. It was new then, not in 2007 when Microsoft brought the same concept to the PC with Windows Vista."

"Shame on the idiots who hate on Apple ideas until they’re copied by others 3-5 years later"

"Why are the people in awe of Microsoft and Google so profoundly unaware of all this?"

Metro tiles do not use Flash. In fact Microsoft is moving away from Flash.

Concerning hardware acceleration, IE9 was released a couple months before Safari 5.1, in fact the former browser is miles ahead of the original Safari 5 in terms of graphics acceleration. Hell, Firefox and Chrome had hardware acceleration way before Safari 5.1 was released.

Wait...Safari 5 (not 5.1) did not have hardware acceleration?!

I'm prepared for thumb downs. Since I've stated facts about Microsoft products, I'm definitely a Microsoft fanboy.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Metro tiles do not use Flash. In fact Microsoft is moving away from Flash.

Concerning hardware acceleration, IE9 was released a couple months before Safari 5.

I'm prepared for thumb downs. Since I've stated facts about Microsoft products, I'm definitely a Microsoft fanboy.

You're not really a Microsoft fanboy unless you wear a t-shirt with Gates and Ballmers picture on it, worship everything they do and say-even if it's wrong, buy every product they make even if you don't need it or use it, etc etc.

 

[divinox]

Pssst: yes they did, look around.

Did what? Every single piece of literature on platforms (and thus, ecosystems) says something different -- and, i am looking around quite often (mac user as i am), and the OS x ecosystem is nowhere near that of MSFT. So yeah, did what really?

----------

Are you kidding? They both were HTML base(well W8 is more HTML 5) and I don't think it really came out the way MS wanted it to. I remember reading sites and magazines that showed how 98 had this supposedly cool thing coming out, but again it never full did what MS intended to do in their retail version of 98, and XP seemingly seemed to dropped it. Now 13 or so odd years later they are rehashing and trying to modernizing that same failed idea in their newest OS. Give me a break.




No, iOS is to simplistic, I am actually a fan of Mameo and even MeeGo(imho Intel's best work ever).

Like Apple tried to rehash and modernize the same failed idea they had with the Newton, you mean? Oh wait, that turned out quite alright, didnt it?

 

[435713]

I take it you prefer the iOS garbage look? As long as the Apple glasses are used, it's great!

Which mobile OS do you prefer currently scruff? I think iOS looks pretty polished. A little surprised the haven't done some innovation to it though.

I couldnt quote your above quote, but I am Gates fanboy for alone how bad he took Jobs to school. Jobs admitted to trusting being his mistake. Well duh! Business 101 baby, he was on visionary 101 I guess.

 

[KingCrimson]

Metro tiles do not use Flash. In fact Microsoft is moving away from Flash.

Concerning hardware acceleration, IE9 was released a couple months before Safari 5.

I'm prepared for thumb downs. Since I've stated facts about Microsoft products, I'm definitely a Microsoft fanboy.

I guess one isn't allowed to give objective facts about Microsoft technologies on this board without being flamed to hell by Mac fanboys.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Which mobile OS do you prefer currently scruff? I think iOS looks pretty polished. A little surprised the haven't done some innovation to it though.

I couldnt quote your above quote, but I am Gates fanboy for alone how bad he took Jobs to school. Jobs admitted to trusting being his mistake. Well duh! Business 101 baby, he was on visionary 101 I guess.

I think overall iOS is the best mobile OS. I do like a few features of Android and maybe Apple will include them with the next version of iOS. I think that Windows 8 shows a lot of promise, and it's up to Microsoft to see it through to completion. If they don't rush it to market like Android and make sure it's well polished, I think it stands an excellent chance to take mobile OS to the next level. And best of all, there will be good competition between Apple and Microsoft giving us consumers more choices.

 

[KingCrimson]

Until Windows 8 comes out in an actual tablet, iOS is defacto the best out there. I'm writing off Android because they're gonna be sued out of existence.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Until Windows 8 comes out in an actual tablet, iOS is defacto the best out there. I'm writing off Android because they're gonna be sued out of existence.

I think that Android had a chance, but it was rushed software and hardware wise. Consumers got turned off right off the bat. Windows has the name that consumers will accept, but will it be too late? I'd like to see all three in the marketplace.

 

[KingCrimson]

I think that Android had a chance, but it was rushed software and hardware wise. Consumers got turned off right off the bat. Windows has the name that consumers will accept, but will it be too late? I'd like to see all three in the marketplace.

The 3 names in tablets come 2014 will be: Apple, Microsoft & Amazon. There will be a few niche products, but that's the gist of it.

 

[Renzatic]

I guess one isn't allowed to give objective facts about Microsoft technologies on this board without being flamed to hell by Mac fanboys.

All things considered, this board isn't nearly as bad as some of the Mac specific forums and news sites I've seen around.

Yeah, Macrumors does have its contingent of diehard Apple-Can-Do-No-Wrong mouthbreathers, who'd defend the company even if they decided to charge $2.99 an hour for using an iOS device. But they're, by and far, the exception rather than the norm around here. I find most of the posts pretty thoughtful and intelligent, even when I don't totally agree with them.

 

[coldmack]

Like Apple tried to rehash and modernize the same failed idea they had with the Newton, you mean? Oh wait, that turned out quite alright, didnt it?

Except for the fact that iOS is a whole different interface and idea than Newton and I am pretty sure a different core underscoring it; unlike, Metro, which is still using a form of HTML, under a similar Windows core. If the iOS was able to run on non-Apple devices, or had a similar underlying core to it you maybe right, but it's not so it's a bit different.

 

[435713]

I think overall iOS is the best mobile OS. I do like a few features of Android and maybe Apple will include them with the next version of iOS. I think that Windows 8 shows a lot of promise, and it's up to Microsoft to see it through to completion. If they don't rush it to market like Android and make sure it's well polished, I think it stands an excellent chance to take mobile OS to the next level. And best of all, there will be good competition between Apple and Microsoft giving us consumers more choices.

Agree with that. I really like the voice recognition in Android, overall though I dont dig that OS. Personal preference. Hopefully MS can make a dent, it might be tough since android is free I think. Kind of want RIM to stay around as well, might be minority in that one. I like RIM.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Agree with that. I really like the voice recognition in Android, overall though I dont dig that OS. Personal preference. Hopefully MS can make a dent, it might be tough since android is free I think. Kind of want RIM to stay around as well, might be minority in that one. I like RIM.

Voice recognition, Google Maps with turn by turn directions and the tabbed browsing is nice, IMO. Too bad about Web OS, that was a nice os.

 

[Bernard SG]

Metro tiles do not use Flash. In fact Microsoft is moving away from Flash.

DED spelled "flash", not "Flash". You notice the difference?

 

[Smoother]

Until Windows 8 comes out in an actual tablet, iOS is defacto the best out there. I'm writing off Android because they're gonna be sued out of existence.

Android is Open Source though and the same people making android devices are the same people making Windows phones. So when Apple are suing Android makers, they are suing Windows makers as well. Funny thing is when microsoft sues HTC, they sue themselves. And I don't know about sued out of existence, they are still growing at a fast pace. And unless you forgot, the people Apple sued, are suing Apple as well.

 

[KingCrimson]

Android is Open Source though and the same people making android devices are the same people making Windows phones. So when Apple are suing Android makers, they are suing Windows makers as well. Funny thing is when When windows sues HTC, they sue themselves. And I don't know about sued out of existence, they are still growing at a fast pace. And unless you forgot, the people Apple sued, are suing Apple as well.

Apparently Apple and Microsoft have a cross-licensing agreement so no suing each other over anything.

 

[stevensr123]

I think that Android had a chance, but it was rushed software and hardware wise. Consumers got turned off right off the bat. Windows has the name that consumers will accept, but will it be too late? I'd like to see all three in the marketplace.

The tablet "war" is still in the early stages, there is a lot of evalution that is to be made, and doubt doubt there will be changes in the market. If you think android will continue to fail and it has had it's "CHANCE" then you will be shocked in a few years time.

What windows is presenting us is the option of two categories of OS. The simple tablet class ( windows 8 mobile OS/TABLET OS) and the option to run a full os ( full blown windows 8) on one device.

Hopefully android and apple do the same thing, But I would love to run IOS and lion on one device.

I am on my macbook air 11" looking and holding the screen, and to me it would be a dream to hold LION in the palm of my hand.

 

[Savor]

Windows 8 is going to be the best-selling OS in 2012. Very good first impression is what I'm hearing. Microsoft has very little competition in the OS desktop space.

Just think that there is a BILLION people in the world using Windows and close to half billion already on Windows 7. Windows 8 should sell over 300M-400M within its first two years. Apple has only sold over 200M iOS devices since 2007 while Windows 7 has more than twice that since 2009. Windows has far greater reach in its area.


http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2011/09/james-whatley-on-the-importance-of-ecosystems.html

James Whatley on the importance of ecosystems

by James Whatley on SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 in DEVICES, OPINION

Whatley is back this week with his perspective on ecosystems — a word that’s increasingly being integrated into the marketing communications of almost every key player in the marketplace. Years back, an ecosystem meant having a few developers knock out some expensive and rather limited third-party apps. Nowadays the term has much wider connotations. Over to James for more…

- – - – -

First, I thought Google. Now, I think Microsoft.

I was reading recently about Skype functionality being built into the forthcoming Mango release on Windows Phone (WP) and I started thinking: who is now moving forwards fastest in this whole ecosystem race?

At the turn of the year, I was part of a research panel discussion around the near future of mobile. The NDA I signed on the evening prevents me from disclosing what treats we were party to, however, what I can share is some of the thoughts we went in with.

Each of us was asked to present our ideas around future mobile technologies. My pitch was around, funnily enough, ecosystems:

“We’re already seeing mobile operating systems appearing in car dashboards. Soon they’ll be in our fridges, on our televisions, built into our coffee tables.. and, when that happens, purchasing decisions will also be made based upon these ecosystems. If your main technology at home is Android-based and you’re coming to buy something new for your household, you’re more likely to keep within the ecosystem that you’re used to. Both from a UI perspective and also from a service interaction ideal.”

This was at the end of last year. Rewind a few years, back when I was working at a certain voice to text company, and Google was talking about launching their own voice-to-text product through Google Voice – “They’ve parked their tanks on our lawn, we must be doing something right”.

At that time I was thinking about the different pieces being put in place by the big G:

GMail, GTalk, Google Maps and now, Google Voice.

Communications + presences + location? I remember saying to a French Googler whom I knew at the time “Man! I can totally see where you guys are going! Amazing. Android will be the glue to pull it together aaaand.. when you align the stars, it’ll be perfect!” – he smiled and bowed his head, knowingly.

The communication ideal behind these nodes, if you will, for me seemed like a major background strategy that was slowing falling into place. Alas, here we are several years later and – even with the likes of [the yet to be proven] Google Plus – all of these services are still yet to fully link up properly. But these things take time.

Fast forward back today and this piece on Engadget highlighting Skype integration in Mango hits. My brain clicks into gear.

Xbox, Windows, Windows Phone, Hotmail [yeah, I said it] and now Maps – the pieces are all there. But the key part here for me is Xbox. The one thing everyone seems to be overlooking: Xbox. There are 53.6million of these machines worldwide – already sat under televisions. Of those, 66% are connected [or at least registered] online via Xbox Live. Include in that another 10million Kinects [the fastest selling peripheral of all time] and you have one hell of a home entertainment system / internet ecosystem.

The Kinect already had video calling before Skype was announced for Windows Phone. Skype is also rumoured to be bundled in the next Xbox update. I’m not saying video calling is the future, not by any stretch. But a true and proper unified communications plan for consumers is the next big step. [Facebook is nearly there, but isn't interested in home or mobile hardware].

Windows 7(.5/Mango/Tango/Rango/Bingo/Bango – delete where appropriate) also promises gaming integration, amazing applications [like the mind-blowingly awesome British Airways app we saw demo'd earlier this year] and well, I can’t help thinking that a sleeping giant has been stirred.

I used to think that Google would be the one pulling this stuff together – the faster, more agile of the huge players in the world. They still could be. They still might be.

All I’m saying is, don’t forget about Microsoft and above all, don’t ignore the Xbox. I genuinely think it’s a trump card that Microsoft is yet to play.

 

[divinox]

Except for the fact that iOS is a whole different interface and idea than Newton and I am pretty sure a different core underscoring it; unlike, Metro, which is still using a form of HTML, under a similar Windows core. If the iOS was able to run on non-Apple devices, or had a similar underlying core to it you maybe right, but it's not so it's a bit different.

First, where in my post am i referring to the interface? I was referring to re-hashing of ideas, even seemingly bad ones (as failure apparently means an inherently bad idea too you).

Second, when it comes to the graphical interface, i find them quite similar. Which, in the end, is a given - considering they're built on the same (desktop) paradigm.

Third, what difference does it make what type och technology the start screen is built on. And, given that they can optimize it properly (looks good to me), why would a HTML5-based GUI be an issue? Really? Where are the limitations in opting for that route that makes it such a bad choice? Care to explain?

Fourth, to reiterate, as evidenced by e.g. the newton, ideas that once failed can be re-hashed and given a successful life further down the path of time. Theres a time and place for everything, even good ideas.

 

[ct2k7]

Android is Open Source though and the same people making android devices are the same people making Windows phones. So when Apple are suing Android makers, they are suing Windows makers as well. Funny thing is when When windows sues HTC, they sue themselves. And I don't know about sued out of existence, they are still growing at a fast pace. And unless you forgot, the people Apple sued, are suing Apple as well.

"windows" doesn't sue anyone.

 

[Smoother]

Apparently Apple and Microsoft have a cross-licensing agreement so no suing each other over anything.

Never claimed that they were suing each other, I said since HTC supports both Android and Windows; Apple sues both Google and Microsoft indirectly.

"windows" doesn't sue anyone.

Obviously, thanks for point it out though, you ought to be be knighted. 'You definitely saved the people who couldn't connect windows to msft from a severe headache.

 

[ct2k7]

Never claimed that they were suing each other, I said since HTC supports both Android and Windows; Apple sues both Google and Microsoft indirectly.


Obviously, thanks for point it out though, you ought to be be knighted. 'You definitely saved the people who couldn't connect windows to msft from a severe headache.

I don't think my post warranted such sarcasm of your behalf.

 

[KingCrimson]

Windows 8 is going to be the best-selling OS in 2012. Very good first impression is what I'm hearing. Microsoft has very little competition in the OS desktop space.

Just think that there is a BILLION people in the world using Windows and close to half billion already on Windows 7. Windows 8 should sell over 300M-400M within its first two years. Apple has only sold over 200M iOS devices since 2007 while Windows 7 has more than twice that since 2009. Windows has far greater reach in its area.


http://www.mobileindustryreview.com/2011/09/james-whatley-on-the-importance-of-ecosystems.html

This is all possible if Microsoft & OEMs deliver by middle 2012 with KILLER hardware/software & the MS ecosystem. Consumers have to have a VALID choice between the Apple "walled garden" and MSFT.