Thursday, June 2, 2011

The interface of Windows 8 unveiled

Steven Sinofsky, director of the Windows and Windows Live, and Julie Larson-Green, Microsoft vice president and manager of the Windows experience, unveiled the Windows interface 8. They participated in the conference D9: All Things D. The publisher has also released a video, available at the bottom of this news item, summarizing the demonstration given to journalists from The Wall Street Journal.

He also provided additional details during a conference at Computex. Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 8 was the codename of the operating system. The trade name has not yet been chosen. The presentations also showed that the next version of Windows was a marriage between conventional system and Windows PC Phone 7.

The presentation had the merit of being convincing, but also raised some criticism. The first thing you notice is the omnipresence of Metro, the GUI of Windows Phone 7. Whether at the start screen or desktop menu loses the benefit of the tiles. The Microsoft press release summarizing the demonstration was made at D9: All Things Digital asserts that "the demo showed some of the ways we've reimagined interface for a new generation of machines focused touch." Simply put, the interface is designed for Metro shelves.

The PC interface is similar to that of Windows 7. Nevertheless, the presentation given at Computex showed that Metro will also be available on PCs and laptops. Windows 8 will therefore combine two interfaces in an operating system. The consumer can then choose sides. Microsoft also showed applications for x86 desktop computer, such as the Microsoft Office suite, running side by side with mobile applications.

The problem is that Office will automatically exit the user interface for tablet, even if it is on a slate, to offer the Windows 7. It is a mandatory changeover has been criticized because it forces the user to use the Windows environment for PC maligned on the shelves. OEMs and operators can not prevent this tilting says Sinofsky.

The interface for tablet also offers the same file manager as the one offered on the PC. The tiles in the office can be animated and dynamically changing content. The demos were already fluid, which is a positive indicator of development. Microsoft also demonstrated its system failover tasks.

Indeed, in tablet mode all applications in full screen. To switch to another program, just drag your finger from left to right. As shown in the video, it is also possible to view two applications side by side with one taking up more space than the other. In the example given by Microsoft, you can watch a video while reading his RSS feeds.

In short, it is clear that this interface is not intended for professionals working on a myriad of software running concurrently on three different screens. Microsoft does not need to attract this market that is already using its operating system largely. It is the general public and those who love the simplistic approach of tablets that can use the multitouch pad their laptops or use their mouse to navigate this interface on their personal computers.

The other main development is the Internet. In addition to offering a version of Internet Explorer Optimized for touch screens slates, he talked a lot of applications and HTML 5 JavaScript that can run natively on Windows 8 and be launched from a window of the office. It is true that such projects are multiplying rapidly as they can quickly develop simple applications running on all major platforms of the moment.

Readers will also have the most faithful noticed that JavaScript is becoming increasingly important. In less than a month, we saw a kernel centered on JavaScript. Yesterday, we published reports that Mozilla has an HTML version 5 / Doom JavaScript. He followed the footsteps of Google, which had brought Quake 2 last year.

These projects show that the JavaScript engines, more powerful, can develop applications much more complex than five years ago and HTML 5 opens the door to new possibilities. After calling Apple and Google for "web apps, Microsoft joined the trend. The presentation also showed the Computex tablets Foxconn, Quanta and Wistron SoC using Qualcomm, Texas Instruments and Tegra 3 Kal-El that NVIDIA has made a demo at Computex.

This essentially means that large manufacturers such as HP, Acer and Lenovo, have already begun to outsource prototypes. Microsoft also showed a soft keyboard displayed on the shelves only to be used with both thumbs and a basket comprising the content of their social networks. The publisher also took the opportunity to remember that there will be no virtualization or translate x86 instructions to ARM.

Microsoft confirms the remarks of Intel that he even qualified to false (see "Intel talking about Windows 8 and Microsoft gets angry"). Redmond relies on applications JavaScript / HTML 5 to populate Windows 8 MRA. We do not know if Windows applications can run on 7 Phone Interface for Windows Tablet 8.

Steve Sinofsky also implicitly confirmed the release of Windows 8 2012. "We (Microsoft, Ed) seek to maintain the release of a new build of Windows every two to three years," according to remarks quoted by Engadget. "I can tell you that it will not fall for this." Windows 7 will celebrate its second anniversary in October.

Since Windows 8 will not come out this year, Microsoft is the fall of 2012. Presentations made by Microsoft have won and it is undeniable that the interface has many advantages. Nevertheless, many people voiced their skepticism about the approach that integrates Microsoft's desktop and system tray in a single product and forcing the switch to a Windows PC to use Office on shelf.

Walt Mossberg asked Steve Sinofsky if developers were not going to be torn between designing an interface for keyboard and mouse, or application-oriented touch screen, the two are not always compatible. Engadget also wondered if it would not open the door to problems such as the ability to install applications on a shelf too heavy.

This also opens the way for malware. Offer the same version of Windows that runs on all media would say that malware PC tablets also infect x86. Walt Mossberg moreover asked if he should install an antivirus on the Windows Tablet and the disappointing response from Mr. Sinofsky was "it is always wise to run antivirus software." The other question is whether such a system will start operating quickly and have the dexterity of competing systems.

It was not until the first beta to begin to get an opinion on the matter. The demos today ran on Atom or ARM processors and have been very fluid, which is nevertheless a good first sign. Finally, DigiTimes claims that Microsoft's strategy requires the editor to be a very strict specifications on the hardware of laptops, as it already does on Windows Mobile Phone 7.

The problem is that the PD G Acer has already condemned the approach that Microsoft accused of ignoring feedback from manufacturers. Asus and HTC have also expressed their dissatisfaction with the constraints too severe and a lack of consultation. Microsoft is in any case hit hard because the competition is tougher than ever.

Apple should release Mac OS X 10.7 Lion this summer. The firm has also tried to cross its systems for PCs and mobile devices, without the approach all-in-one from Microsoft. Google will release Ice Cream Sandwich that combines the system tray with the smartphone, a more natural union than unifying system for the Tablet PC.

After all, the hardware shelves are closer to the smartphone as laptops. Google Chrome will also leave for netbook OS. One thing is clear from the presentations from Microsoft. The editor has realized that fashion was for mobile systems and tactile. Remains to be seen to be most successful.

Appointment in three to five years.

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