Windows Surface... tablet

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/default.aspx

Microsoft released its tablet with the name of Surface... but wait, Surface is not the PixelSense tecnology?
Ok, no more confusion.
Surface is the tablet and the PixelSense (called Surface too) is PixelSense.

Take a look what is PixelSense: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/pixelsense/default.aspx

More info about Surface: http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/about.aspx
Specs: http://www.microsoft.com/global/surface/en/us/renderingassets/surfacespecsheet.pdf

The design is very beautiful, the keyboard is very smart.
The Surface PRO has Window 8 PRO, so I think it has a x86 cpu (so you can run your x86 applications)
I suppose that the Ipad has a great competitor now.

The Microsoft Tablet

Lol, no, not a Xp tablet (it's pretty... I want thit vintage-tech, but this is another story)

So rumors say Microsoft is to launch its own tablet... uhm... x86? Arm? I don't know.

All the attention is for the name! What will Microsoft call its tablet?

MicroPad? (hurrdurr)
SoftPad?
WinPad?
WinTab?  (this -pad- word break my ass)
8Pad?
8Tab?
MicroTab?
BallmerTab?

More: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-57454051-71/what-will-microsoft-call-its-new-um-ipad

Windows 8 UI on final release

How horrible.
The borders are thick and I think we can't resize them.
It seems you can choose to apply the color in the taskbar only or in the taskbar and in the windows...

Source:
http://www.windows8update.com/2012/06/13/new-windows-8-pre-rtm-images-no-more-aero-glass/

Windows 8 Release Preview out now!

Download it!

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/release-preview

Meh, meh, meh... let's see...

Official post:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/31/delivering-the-windows-8-release-preview.aspx

Edit:

A user (xpclient) made a good "what is missing" post:
http://xpwasmyidea.blogspot.it/2011/09/features-removed-in-windows-8.html

Developing desktop software is dead? #VS11

http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/05/no-cost-desktop-software-development-is-dead-on-windows-8/#

Short story:

Visual Studio 11 is only for Metro Apps and for desktop application developers need the 500$ pro licence... so if you want to develop desktop software you must use the old Visual Studio10.

A bunch of 3rd-party softwares is developed by young guys (16>25 years old) not companies., 3rd-party softwares that add features to Windows (that out-of-the-box has ... almost nothing)

Microsoft should encourage those who produce software for its operating system, Metro or Desktop.

GG M$!  You know how to attract developers!!!

Windows Metro jokes gallery (4 images)

Since its appearance the Metro UI has attracted the attention of many and has been the victim of jokes and teasing...


Let's see some...

Do you remember Windows 1.0?

Goodbye old chap, Aero glass

Few days ago Microsoft announces that the Aero theme will be changed in Windows 8 and the "glass" effect will be removed with shadows and other things.

only a incomplete preview, says MS

I like the Aero Glass effect and the Aero translucency in Windows 7 (elegant imho), with shadows and other effects.
These effects slow down the system? Maybe, if you have a old Pc (or if you don't want to waste resources for that), but you can choose to deactivate them.

Customization. You can choose.
Ok, the GUI design must evolve, but what is the price?

Users want customize their visual experience, so why there isn't this dialog on Windows 8?

I hope it's disappeared because it's a Beta, but...

The right path for me? Everything customizable, so users can fine tune their Windows.
Microsoft removes the customization? Customization utilities/tools will be created.
So, another 3rd-party software to install and another feature removed out-of-the-box.
GG.

Windows 8 : desktop environment

Everybody here:  http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2012/05/18/creating-the-windows-8-user-experience.aspx

Now.

Alt+Tab on Windows 8 is ugly

I know you agree with me...

and I hope that MS will get rid of some screens from windows 95 like...

Is that a CRT monitor?

Windows 8 Big Icons

Why not?
In the 2012, big tiles with little icons?
Long names? Text could move. Too "marquee from '90s"? Maybe...

Personally I think MS could add two display modes:
- big icons
- small icons
so if you have big beautiful icons you can choose to view them.

These small icons make me feel sick.

And yeah, I have too much free time.

Windows 8 editions

Announced the Windows 8 versions:

Windows 8
Windows 8 Pro
Windows RT (arm tablets)

Feature name	W8	W8 Pro	W RT
Upgrades from Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium	x	x
Upgrades from Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate		x
Start screen, Semantic Zoom, Live Tiles	x	x	x
Windows Store	x	x	x
Apps (Mail, Calendar, People, Messaging, Photos, SkyDrive, Reader, Music, Video)	x	x	x
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)			x
Internet Explorer 10	x	x	x
Device encryption			x
Connected standby	x	x	x
Microsoft account	x	x	x
Desktop	x	x	x
Installation of x86/64 and desktop software	x	x
Updated Windows Explorer	x	x	x
Windows Defender	x	x	x
SmartScreen	x	x	x
Windows Update	x	x	x
Enhanced Task Manager	x	x	x
Switch languages on the fly (Language Packs)	x	x	x
Better multiple monitor support	x	x	x
Storage Spaces	x	x
Windows Media Player	x	x
Exchange ActiveSync	x	x	x
File history	x	x	x
ISO / VHD mount	x	x	x
Mobile broadband features	x	x	x
Picture password	x	x	x
Play To	x	x	x
Remote Desktop (client)	x	x	x
Reset and refresh your PC	x	x	x
Snap	x	x	x
Touch and Thumb keyboard	x	x	x
Trusted boot	x	x	x
VPN client	x	x	x
BitLocker and BitLocker To Go		x
Boot from VHD		x
Client Hyper-V		x
Domain Join		x
Encrypting File System		x
Group Policy		x
Remote Desktop (host)		x

Uhm...good. I hate the billion of names of the old versions (home/premium/starter/wtf)

More details on:

http://windowsteamblog.com/windows/b/bloggingwindows/archive/2012/04/16/announcing-the-windows-8-editions.aspx

Ok, a decent Metro Start Menu for Windows 8

Hey Microsoft, this is a functional Metro Start:

And wow! Customization! It's clearly not a Microsoft product! (Right click on the Orb)

You can use it like the old Start Menu, but this is with the original Metro.

Download it: http://stardock.cachefly.net/Start8_setup.exe

StarDock offers us a ""beta"", a preview of its program.
I think that after the ""trial"" period (September 2012) this add-on will be available only by purchasing it.
So... other third party softwares for fixing internal problems... 


I think that with only this "big fix" the most issues of Windows 8 are "patched": you can reach apps/programs list, etc... you have everything at your fingertips (and eyes).

Uhm... yeah, my idea of "gadget-abled" apps could integrate better Metro and Desktop...

By the way (I have only Windows 8 in mind in these days :P  Sorry!):
Ah,.... Metro Apps section could be better... Ms think about it!

Metro Apps in your desktop PC: useful?

I think Metro Apps and the Desktop can live together.
Now we can (only with high resolution... Ms, oh you...) dock apps with the Desktop and dock them with another app.
But...  if we can use Apps in different ways?

•  Immersive way, fullscreen like now;
•  Docked way, with other apps or with Desktop;
•  floatable way?

With "Floatable way" I means Apps could be like gadgets (old gadgets can be dropped), you can put them in the Desktop with the "Snap" action (in the center of the screen could be) and the App could be resized or moved.

So, we could have 3 different ways to use Apps.

And in a desktop computer there could be a "visual multitasking" with those Apps (now you can put side by side one app to another app...  two "windows"... a bit limited)

A mockup with the XBOX Live app:

and with the Weather App (tiled, expanded mode and actions):

Windows 8 Shortcuts and more

Some (I found these) shortcuts for Windows 8...


WIN = go to Metro, quit Metro (push a letter to start searching)
WIN+C = Charm Bar
WIN+F = Search
WIN+I  = settings on Charm Bar
WIN+P = extern monitor/projector
WIN+D = show Desktop
WIN+H = share on Charm Bar
WIN+K = connect on Charm Bar
WIN+L = lock
WIN+O = block screen rotation
WIN+Z = App Bar on Metro Start Screen like a right click in the background ("All apps" shortcut, but a button on the Metro Start Screen could be better)
WIN+Q = Apps section on Start Screen (from Desktop too, but an "All apps" button on Desktop...is missing) [very useful]
WIN + X = quick menu (right click menu in the "Start Button")
WIN+PRINTSCREEN = automatic screenshot saved in Pictures
WIN+ +/- = Windows Zoom
WIN+SHIFT+V = show notifications
WIN+ENTER = start Narrator application
WIN+M = minimize window

WIN+PAGE UP/DOWN = move Metro Start or Metro app in different monitors
WIN+SHIFT+. = move desktop to left
WIN+. = move desktop to right
WIN+CURSOR KEYS = move active window (Aero snap)

CTRL+Mouse Scroll = on Metro Start, semantic zoom
PAGE UP/DOWN = on Metro Start, move between groups

there are present all the Win Seven shortcuts (WIN+R... etc...)

Versions:
And in the system registry you can see all the probably versions of Win8:

•   Windows 8 Starter edition
•   Windows 8 Home Basic Edition
•   Windows 8 Home Premium edition
•   Windows 8 Professional edition
•   Windows 8 Professional Plus edition
•   Windows 8 Enterprise Edition  
•   Windows 8 Ultimate edition  
•   Windows 8 ARM edition 

Lol, "plus"?

(Sorry about all these posts about Win8... :-P)

Eyes on Windows 8 Consumer Preview... #1

I took a look of Windows Consumer Preview...

I think Metro UI is beautiful and useful on tablets and it could integrate in the classic Windows too, but... let's see something...

Where installing Windows 8?
I put Windows 8 (32 bit version) in VirtualBox (Oracle) in a old laptop.
These are the laptop configs:

•  Intel Dual Core 1.6Ghz
•  1 GB Ram
•  hdd 2.5''

and these are the virtual machine given resources:

•  using 2 cores with 81% cpu time
•  470 MB Ram
•  ~8 GB Disk Space (virtual disk)

Yeah, very very slightly!

Let's start! Let's install it!
I don't explain here how using VirtualBox, it's easy.
Let's install Win8!

Betta, the fish for the beta versions!

Windows 8 Consumer Preview (Beta)

The Beta is coming... are you ready for the download?

Download links:

• 8250.0.WINMAIN_WIN8BETA.120217-1520_X64FRE_CLIENT_EN-US-HB1_CCPA_X64FRE_EN-US_DV5.ISO
• 8250.0.WINMAIN_WIN8BETA.120217-1520_X86FRE_CLIENT_EN-US-HB1_CCPA_X86FRE_EN-US_DV5.ISO

! ! !

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/iso  << Download your ISO

! ! ! PS: the serial-key explanation is in the download page

Get started:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/get-started?page=vid2

- - - - - -

"Live" event here: http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/live-from-microsofts-windows-8-press-event-at-mobile-world-cong/

Other things about Windows 8:

http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=28970&WT.mc_id=rss_windows_allproducts

http://it.bing.com/?win8start=1

Oh! The Consumer Preview, the Consumer Preview!!!:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5ibf-LKOVItuLFO5RzruHdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0
Of Windows 98 :D

Oh, new Windows logo...

Uhm... not bad.

It's clean.

It's new.

It isn't the logo what worries me ...  Yeah, you know... 
I have very little trust in Redmond in recent times in the Win8 development....

Windows 8 and Build blog

I'm really appreciating that Microsoft will finally provide some listening to users to improve their operating system.
After all the user's contribution is very important.

Want to have your say? Go here: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/


And... the Candidate Build of Win8 is out:

http://winunleaked.tk/2012/02/windows-8-beta-candidate-build-8220/ 
 (colors placed at random by the user? I hope)


Faster than Windows 7? We will see in the final release.
The major flaws of the current Windows are, in my opinion:
- An old file system that supports many features, but has not yet solved the problem of fragmentation (already solved in many other OS from ...  year 2000)  [In b4 solved with SSD];
- The software included in the OS is not complete;
- A very slow startup.

It will all be solved with Windows 8?

Windows 8 build - Developer Preview

Have you tried the alpha version of Windows 8? See previous posts!
If you have questions or suggestions visit http://win8.ms/forums

First look:

I've tried this Developer version, ok, it's not the final version, it's not a Beta version, it's an alpha-alpha version so... may changes.

In my first try:

•  What a speed!
•  Ribbon menu? Minimized is good, maximized is ... crap
•  Quick Access Toolbar: removed, horrible
•  How can I shutdown the system??? On Settings/Power/whataoption... WHAT?
•  Metro UI... awesome... on a fuck*** tablet
•  Where is my Aero 3D?
•  Why in the normal UI everything clicked opens the Metro UI???
•  How can I close an app opened in Metro UI (yeah, task manager...what?)
•  You can switch between Metro UI and normal UI in a click

Conclusion:
Ok, ok, ok... it's only an alpha version, only an alpha version, only...
Technically is a good Windows (works on tablet, boot, features, etc...), but there is NO separation between the two interfaces... clicking the "Start Button" in normal UI and Settings window opens is in Metro UI style, IT TOTALLY GLOBALLY SUCKS.

But Metro UI rocks in a tablet:

Microsoft: Windows 8 BUILD keynote

Starts today!  [Streaming ::: CLICK HERE]
Microsoft will release a preview-build of Windows 8 and will illustrate all new features of Windows 8...

What we know till now:

•  two interfaces (metro and "normal")
•  native support to ISO files
•  new task manager
•  new welcome screen (with pattern logon)
•  hybrid booting (more speed on boot)
•  system reset (back to default settings)
•  ribbon interface like in Windows Explorer
•  tablet support (ARM processors)
•  better disk cleanup (temp and other junk files)
•  Windows App Store
•  wake on Lan feature
•  History Vault (like a Time Machine in MacOs, replacing the Backup and Restore of Windows 7)

On update...

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/

•  everything runs on Seven runs on 8 (retrocompatibity :D) and 8 runs everywhere
•  better memory and cpu management, system works easily on old hardware (less resources used than Seven in the same PC)
•  ARM processors support
•  UEFI support 
•  better battery management (for tablet, etc...)
•  tablet/pc sensors support (gyroscope, etc...)
•  more tools for developers, you can program in your favourite language and compile for WMobile, Metro Ui etc... the same code
•  develop your app and put it on the Windows App Store!
•  Metro UI for tablets (or desktop if you want), full customization and gestures, docking apps, immersive IE, zooming, selection dragging, you can use it with your finger or keyboard and mouse
•  switching between Metro UI and normal UI in a flash (or put the other UI in your secondary monitor)
•  Hyper-V
•  new copying files system (with pause/resume, increased speed)
•  Refresh pc, system like new without touching your files
•  very good support for multi monitors (extended wallpapers, different UI in different monitors) ...

and much more, this Windows 8 is not a beta, only a preview build!
More features are coming!

Large image >click here<

Download your Dev version of Windows8 here: http://dev.windows.com

Do you have questions or suggestions? Help Microsoft to design Windows around you:
http://win8.ms/forums