35 replies to this topic

[Dot Matrix]

It's about Windows and IE, not WinRT. Unless Microsoft is going to call their tablet OS branding WinRT? If it carries the Windows name and contains IE, it's a potential anti-trust concern to regulators.

They are calling it WinRT.

Of particular concern are the APIs that IE has access to which Microsoft is denying other browsers, including VirtualAlloc / HeapAlloc and friends, CreateNamedPipe, ConnectNamedPipe, DisconnectNamedPipe, CreateProcess, and various others.
These APIs allow for things like making memory executable, a prerequisite for building a JIT [just-in-time compiler]. Without a JIT, it will be impossible to build a modern browser. These APIs also allow for things like spawning additional processes, and communicating between them -- something we use to isolate plug-ins for security and stability purposes and other browsers, including IE, use to isolate tabs and windows for security and stability purposes.

First, Microsoft is limiting plug-ins to pretty much Flash for Metro. Nothing else will be allowed. Why Mozilla is crying fowl over this, I do not know, but Firefox isn't known to be the most speedy of browsers. I don't need ten billion Mozilla Firefox plug-ins junking up my tablet. Second, it wouldn't be too difficult to come up with a new system of tab isolation, something that is system independent.

Windows on Arm is a different OS from x64 Windows. You can't just simply port code over and expect it to work, changes need to be made. The only reason legacy code was moved over was for Office to use, and Explorer. Quite frankly it shouldn't even be there to begin with. WinRT should be strictly Metro, but that's not up to us.

[simplezz]

They are calling it WinRT.

Right. So when these things go on sale, there'll be no mention of Windows then? Regardless, we'll have to wait and see. I have a feeling Microsoft will allow others browsers in the end, whether they want to or not.

[Dot Matrix]

Right. So when these things go on sale, they'll be no mention of Windows then? Regardless, we'll have to wait and see. I have a feeling Microsoft will allow others browsers in the end, whether they want to or not.

That's up to them.

[Josh the Nerd]

False. Metro apps work on both WinRT and x86. I'm sure Mozilla can come up with something else. That's nothing more than Google crying foul because they can't sink their dirty hands deeper into system processes.

Desktop apps are the ones that need to be recompiled for ARM. But the desktop is only on ARM because of Explorer and Office.

If it uses only WinRT (the API, not short for Windows RT) code, then yes it can be compiled for (languages such as C++) or run on (languages such as C#) both x86 and ARM. However, Metro IE indeed relies on running the Win32-based rendering engine in the background. If you don't believe me, open Metro IE, check Task Manager, and notice you're now running iexplore.exe, a Win32 process.

[bogas04]

Not again Let the RTM release (Or even RC)!! It's like saying the "soup is not thick , eww" when you just kept it over the flame (lawl self made )

[Stoffel]

That's up to them.

Sadly enough we know that's not true, it will be some kind of government deciding on that again I guess

[Dot Matrix]

If it uses only WinRT (the API, not short for Windows RT) code, then yes it can be compiled for (languages such as C++) or run on (languages such as C#) both x86 and ARM. However, Metro IE indeed relies on running the Win32-based rendering engine in the background. If you don't believe me, open Metro IE, check Task Manager, and notice you're now running iexplore.exe, a Win32 process.

I don't expect that to last long. Something the IE will change at a later date. WinRT should be Metro only, and that it appears to be doing just that.

[jakem1]

Now, fast forward to today and I hear that Aero Glass support is completely dropped.

Can you post a link to an official statement from MS that says explicitly that Glass will not be available at all in Windows 8? All I've read is that Glass won't be the default theme which is quite different from what you're saying. Until the RC is released I don't think we know whether Glass will be available but I suspect it will be there for users to select, just not switched on by default.

I also think you're confused about Windows on ARM and MS's tablet strategy. There will be plenty of x86-based tablets available and all tablets will be able to run the same Metro apps regardless of whether they are ARM or x86-based.

[UXGaurav]

Unlike Apple fanboys, Windows fanboys are bold enough to reject certain Microsoft creations.

LMAO that is so true and funny. No offense to Apple fans though, but that is just a very true observation IMHO. Maybe because of the vast number of users.

[+ViperAFK]

Can you post a link to an official statement from MS that says explicitly that Glass will not be available at all in Windows 8? All I've read is that Glass won't be the default theme which is quite different from what you're saying. Until the RC is released I don't think we know whether Glass will be available but I suspect it will be there for users to select, just not switched on by default.

I also think you're confused about Windows on ARM and MS's tablet strategy. There will be plenty of x86-based tablets available and all tablets will be able to run the same Metro apps regardless of whether they are ARM or x86-based.

Yeah, I think all we really know is in the latest build the default theme has been updated with a flat, non transparent metro style. All the stuff under the hood that makes aero possible is still there... (DWM). It could be possible that a "classic" aero theme is included, but not default.

[+ViperAFK]

LMAO that is so true and funny. No offense to Apple fans though, but that is just a very true observation IMHO. Maybe because of the vast number of users.

I've actually seen plenty complaints about the direction mountain lion is going in.

[johnporter29]

Can you post a link to an official statement from MS that says explicitly that Glass will not be available at all in Windows 8? All I've read is that Glass won't be the default theme which is quite different from what you're saying. Until the RC is released I don't think we know whether Glass will be available but I suspect it will be there for users to select, just not switched on by default.

I also think you're confused about Windows on ARM and MS's tablet strategy. There will be plenty of x86-based tablets available and all tablets will be able to run the same Metro apps regardless of whether they are ARM or x86-based.

I don't think you will see the final UI until RTM to be honest, I believe the RC will still have Aero Glass enabled as default.

[jakem1]

I don't think you will see the final UI until RTM to be honest, I believe the RC will still have Aero Glass enabled as default.

Yes, you may be right. I wasn't sure as I was typing that post out

[KevinN206]

Windows 8 with the desktop has a new option calls "auto colorization" where Windows try to change the Aero glass color to match the background. It looks really cool with this feature enabled. Why would MS add this feature if they are removing Aero glass?

[Dot Matrix]

Windows 8 with the desktop has a new option calls "auto colorization" where Windows try to change the Aero glass color to match the background. It looks really cool with this feature enabled. Why would MS add this feature if they are removing Aero glass?

Either it's a change of plans, or it'll also colorize the window border even without the glass effect. I too, hope they will keep this because the white I know will be too much for me.