Windows 8 Snippets

Steve · Aug 18, 2011, 08:42:24

Ok I found it on Macrumours but it looks like the next version of Windows will draw some features from the Windows mobile platform and also provide a form of App store. I think with the drive for digital distribution and 'touch' interfaces the end of the traditional desktop is in sight. Out with the desktop console and back with the piano.

http://www.macrumors.com/2011/08/18/microsofts-windows-8-to-include-an-app-store-too/

Rik · Aug 18, 2011, 09:14:33

Bring back DOS, I say.

Steve · Aug 18, 2011, 09:17:49

Uno Dos Tres

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-oH-TELcLE

Rik · Aug 18, 2011, 09:21:14

I thought for a moment you were cueing Woolly Bully...

pctech · Aug 18, 2011, 09:22:52

digital distribution is great if you have a really speedy internet connection otherwise its a PITA.

Steve · Aug 18, 2011, 09:26:23

I guess MS or Apple are not going to wait for the UK to get it's broadband up to speed and why should they.

The full blog is here http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/

pctech · Aug 18, 2011, 09:31:36

Because we are their customers and even Uncle Sam hasn't got its act together on broadband.

pctech · Aug 18, 2011, 09:33:26

If win 8 becomes completely dependent on a remote server like those bloody awful Chromebooks I'll be switching to ReactOS I think.

Gary · Aug 18, 2011, 09:35:58

Quote from: pctech on Aug 18, 2011, 09:22:52
digital distribution is great if you have a really speedy internet connection otherwise its a PITA.

For me to re-install Lion is an 1/5 hour download, tbh thats not bad and I tried it to see, thankfully in December our tiny exchange should get adsl 2+ and I have good line stats so things will get quicker. For ease of installation they are great, you can buy it even when the shops are shut, no costly packaging to make then rip open, so software gets cheaper and productions costs drop as you dont need plastic and cardboard and paper and printing overheads. I am sure this is the way things will go, just like downloaded music. For those with bad connections you can still get a copy if you want, but it may cost more (see lion USB stick install media which is almost double the cost)

pctech · Aug 18, 2011, 09:39:08

I bought a game via steam and it took the best part of 12 hours but then my line stats suck.

Steve · Aug 18, 2011, 09:39:46

It's the customers choice of hardware that's forcing the change imo,desktops sales are in decline and in the next few years we are going to see a large increase in the number of tablet users, sales of which are said to quadruple in the next four years. MS has to get in on the 'mobile' act it's the future.

pctech · Aug 18, 2011, 09:43:09

Sorry, I don't see people knocking out long documents on a tablet.

Rik · Aug 18, 2011, 09:43:41

Do you see tablets completely replacing 'conventional' machines, Steve?

Gary · Aug 18, 2011, 09:46:12

Quote from: Steve on Aug 18, 2011, 09:39:46
It's the customers choice of hardware that's forcing the change imo,desktops sales are in decline and in the next few years we are going to see a large increase in the number of tablet users, sales of which are said to quadruple in the next four years. MS has to get in on the 'mobile' act it's the future.

Indeed but I think people will still want a desktop for awhile yet, gamers will for many years to come, cards like the ATI HD 6990 are like tanks on their own. For the rest laptops are being replaced by tablets slowly as well as basic machines for those who watch youtube email and browse and not much more. I must admit a tablet would suit Justina well, thing is I would not get an iPad, HTML5 may be the way forward but flash is still needed for now.

Gary · Aug 18, 2011, 09:50:44

Quote from: pctech on Aug 18, 2011, 09:43:09
Sorry, I don't see people knocking out long documents on a tablet.

Touch screen keyboard are very good and on a ten inch tablet it would not really be an issue, you get used to things quickly, I can type faster on my iPhone than I ever could on a conventional keypad now. If you really wanted that a plug in/bluetooth keyboard it would be no hardship for long hours if thats what suits you. The change is happening now, more tablets are shifting I believe than laptops. Its the slow evolution of tech simple slim powerful devices. Just look at the dual core smartphones with 4"screens they are so powerful compared with what was here two years ago and the development cycle is becoming pretty rapid.

Steve · Aug 18, 2011, 09:52:31

As Mitch pointed out in the previous post there will always be a role for a proper keyboard and decent sized screen to work on. But I can't see why for the rest of "internet use" we need a desktop. I rarely ever use a desktop except at work. I've freed myself from the study. A decent tablet provides you with instantaneous access to mail,internet,social media,music,video and documents.

Rik · Aug 18, 2011, 09:53:24

What work wouldn't you do on a tablet, Steve?

Gary · Aug 18, 2011, 09:57:08

Quote from: Steve on Aug 18, 2011, 09:52:31
As Mitch pointed out in the previous post there will always be a role for a proper keyboard and decent sized screen to work on. But I can't see why for the rest of "internet use" we need a desktop. I rarely ever use a desktop except at work. I've freed myself from the study. A decent tablet provides you with instantaneous access to mail,internet,social media,music,video and documents.

I have to agree for what I am doing now I could quite happily be sitting in the lounge using a decent tablet and not needing the power of a desktop, also if I go out I have my social contacts/networks/email and browser and all the information at hand via 3G or wifi. The tablet version of Apples pages is pretty good, I can see windows going the same way with Word etc.

Steve · Aug 18, 2011, 21:19:07

We talked earlier about the move away from the traditional desktop,news today of a major hardware manufacturer which is trying to shift into Internet and cloud based services. I'm surprised it's ditching WebOS I guess it's failed to compete with IOS and Android.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-18/hp-said-to-be-near-10-billion-autonomy-takeover-spinoff-of-pc-business.html

Glenn · Aug 18, 2011, 22:10:51

HP's purchase of EDS 3 years ago fits with "Their focus is on being more of a software and services company and not dependent on the hardware businesses" EDS were one of the largest Service companies worldwide at the time.

Technical Ben · Aug 19, 2011, 10:48:24

Quote from: Gary on Aug 18, 2011, 09:57:08
I have to agree for what I am doing now I could quite happily be sitting in the lounge using a decent tablet and not needing the power of a desktop, also if I go out I have my social contacts/networks/email and browser and all the information at hand via 3G or wifi. The tablet version of Apples pages is pretty good, I can see windows going the same way with Word etc.

True. But then that's an extra £400 on top of my £400 "stuck in the corner pc". Hey I'd have a device of every size if money was not an issue.

Steve · Sep 14, 2011, 09:05:39

A few more details here from the BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14908568

ARM compatible Windows and I think the comments regarding the expected growth of tablets really shows where the future of computing lies with Desktops strictly for gaming and professional use and I'm personally not sure whether the laptop has a future.

.Griff. · Sep 14, 2011, 13:06:46

Currently downloading the Windows 8 Developers release - http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/apps/br229516

pctech · Sep 14, 2011, 14:50:07

Do let us know how you get on Griff and whether you can clean install (thus facilitating a dual boot) or whether its an upgrade.

If I can dual boot it I may give it a go.

.Griff. · Sep 14, 2011, 15:08:19

Just burned the iso to disc and about to try it on my laptop now.

I'll report back.