Windows

Kiss Aero goodbye: Latest Windows 8 build reveals minimalistic desktop UI (update)

It's safe to say that anticipation is high for the upcoming Windows 8 Release Preview, which will become available in the first week of June. While we're still curious to see if Microsoft can better integrate the desktop and Metro environments of its latest operating system, the company has now revealed a significant change to the desktop portion of Windows 8 -- a completely restyled visual appearance. As you might remember from the Consumer Preview, window borders and widgets featured a simplified and subdued look in comparison to the glass-like materials of Aero, which Microsoft now calls "dated and cheesy." With the latest refresh, however, the company has pushed its modernistic philosophy even further to reveal a spartan (yet functional) interface that draws less attention to the chrome elements and allows the user to focus more on content.

Microsoft's latest reveal was made as part of a larger, retrospective look at its development of Windows and the evolution of the operating system. At every step, the company states that its emphasis has been on the overall "learnability" of the environment. As such, Microsoft claims that it's making great strides to ensure that consumers may quickly get up to speed with the latest OS, and hints that it has a number of reveals yet to be seen. In its very next breath, however, it also emphasized people's ability to adapt and move forward, which suggests the number of changes might not be as conciliatory as some might've hoped. Regardless, we'll know for sure what Microsoft has in store in just a few weeks.

Update: Well, this is interesting. In the screenshot above, you'll notice a highlighted mail-esque icon at the bottom of the taskbar. As it would turn out, Techblitz recently discovered that Microsoft swapped that shot for a nearly identical replica, albeit without the icon. Is this miniscule peek into something new in the way of Windows Live mail or similar? At this point it's anyone guess, but we'll keep you posted if we find out more. You'll find the new screenshot after the break.

Continue reading Kiss Aero goodbye: Latest Windows 8 build reveals minimalistic desktop UI (update)

Kiss Aero goodbye: Latest Windows 8 build reveals minimalistic desktop UI (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  MSDN Blogs  | Email this | Comments

Microsoft sets sandbox boundaries for Metro developers

With so many apps running around the Windows playground, Microsoft wants the grown-ups to be in charge of Metro. Programs for the new interface will be available only through the Windows Store, which will allow one-click installs, user feedback and crash monitoring. Developers shouldn't worry too much, as the heavy lifting for those features will all be handled by the OS. Redmond's demanding some tit-for-tat, however, asking programmers to resist the temptation to invoke APIs not included in the development kit. All the software will be vetted, App-Store style, while access to devices like GPS and cameras must be granted by users before the apps can grab them. We've already seen that the old BSOD is gone, so hopefully this new course plotted by Metro will keep those frowny faces away.

Microsoft sets sandbox boundaries for Metro developers originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 May 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Microsoft Developers Network  | Email this | Comments

Plugable DC-125 dock turns your solitary PC into a multiple workstation powerhouse (video)

Continue reading Plugable DC-125 dock turns your solitary PC into a multiple workstation powerhouse (video)

Plugable DC-125 dock turns your solitary PC into a multiple workstation powerhouse (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Plugable  | Email this | Comments

ViewSonic’s dual-booting Android / Windows 7 ViewPad 10 tablet now shipping

It sure took 'em long enough, but ViewSonic's dual-booting ViewPad 10 has finally, really, actually made it to America. A few days after the iPad 2 most likely sucked any remaining wind out of its sails, mind you, but it's quite possible that the target market for an Android 1.6 + Windows 7 tablet couldn't care less about a similar one from Apple. If you'll recall, this one's rocking a 10.1-inch touchpanel (1024 x 600), 1.66GHz Atom CPU, 2GB of RAM, Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11b/g/n WiFi, a 1.3 megapixel front-facing camera and a version of Android we forgot about in 1994. You'll also find a microSD slot and a copy of Windows Home 7 Premium (with a 16GB SSD) or Windows 7 Professional (with a 32GB SSD). Still interested? Just wait until we tell you all about the $599 and $679 price tags, respectively.

P.S. - Yeah, that's OS X shown running on the ViewPad 10 above. No, it won't actually do that in real life.

Continue reading ViewSonic's dual-booting Android / Windows 7 ViewPad 10 tablet now shipping

ViewSonic's dual-booting Android / Windows 7 ViewPad 10 tablet now shipping originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments