Are WinRT apps 'tablet apps'?

By Calum
in Microsoft (Windows)

 Share

  

98 members have voted

  1. 1. Are WinRT apps 'tablet apps'?

    • No
      38
    • Yes
      49
    • They shouldn't be called "tablet apps," but they only work well on tablets
      11

Recommended Posts

Experienced

Rickkins

Posted
Posted

This doesn't add to your credibility. I've been using nothing but Modern apps on my notebook for the past week since I've started back at school, and so far, they're working wonderfully. The only time I see the desktop is to use Word and Excel.

Coming from you, your response is completely meaningless, as you have been one of metro's most ardent proponents, in the most extreme sense. Not once in any of your postings have you shown even the slightest understanding of the arguments against it.(metro)

Veteran

Shane Nokes

Posted
Posted

They were designed for tablets. Period.

How do they work on my desktop perfectly well then? I actually got one of my best Fruit Ninja scores on this desktop with a mouse. Odd how that works if it's '...designed for tablets. Period.'

That's are far off-topic as I'm willing to go.

I still think this thread is getting way too far derailed...although I am glad the OP figured it out and has solved their issue.

Rising Star

@Leo

Posted
Posted

How do they work on my desktop perfectly well then? I actually got one of my best Fruit Ninja scores on this desktop with a mouse. Odd how that works if it's '...designed for tablets. Period.'

And iOS apps work "perfectly well" on the iOS simulator - does it mean they are designed for it also?

That's are far off-topic as I'm willing to go.

I still think this thread is getting way too far derailed...although I am glad the OP figured it out and has solved their issue.

I don't see what the problem is. Would you be happier if another topic got started?

Veteran

Shane Nokes

Posted
Posted

They work - currently using RTM on VMware - but the long "mouse ways" sure are atypical for desktop applications

That was my point. I was questioning his statement that they were '...designed for tablets. Period,' since it works just fine for me.

And iOS apps work "perfectly well" on the iOS simulator - does it mean they are designed for it also?

I don't see what the problem is. Would you be happier if another topic got started?

So now you're comparing a full OS on an actual machine to a simulator? Wow...

...and the problem is that this is thread hijacking which is against the rules...so yes I would prefer another topic dedicated to this point be started, so that no one gets in trouble.

Grand Master

Julius Caro

Posted
Posted

Lol, right click on it and press uninstall... Was that so hard to figure out? And FYI they are not "tablet apps"

oh FFS. not even microsoft can agree on what to call these now. metro, modern, formerly-known-as-metro, windows 8 style.

and tablet app is not even a gross inaccuracy.

Mentor

MFH

Posted
Posted

That was my point. I was questioning his statement that they were '...designed for tablets. Period,' since it works just fine for me.

I'd say they are usable. But the spacing and the big amount of space between the single controls annoys me a bit... Surely the term "touch first" fits the new UI perfectly. Whereas Windows up to 7 was "touch second"...

Grand Master

bandit_liberty_rumble

Posted
Posted

They work - currently using RTM on VMware - but the long "mouse ways" sure are atypical for desktop applications

They're also generally missing drag&drop operations, hide menus and buttons, offer little contextual menu support and force multi-step operations for otherwise simple tasks.

Mentor

MFH

Posted
Posted

They're also generally missing drag&drop operations, hide menus and buttons, offer little contextual menu support and force multi-step operations for otherwise simple tasks.

Totally agree. Furthermore they are completely isolated from the desktop: for example you can't drag a file from the desktop into a Metro application, which I call major BS!

Grand Master

Julius Caro

Posted
Posted

As I mention, all of that indicates that the person hasn't bothered to try to understand Windows 8, the reasons for the changes, and how it works :) I'm not suggesting anyone has to think this new Windows experience is better or that they should agree that the changes are good for the desktop formfactor, but I feel that everyone should try to understand Microsoft's viewpoint and what they intended, rather than resorting to false labels ("tablet apps") and misunderstanding (expecting apps in Windows 8 to work like they did in previous versions of Windows).

Are you suggesting that people should get a lecture on Microsoft viewpoint and philosophy before using the OS and asking questions about it? That's not how it should work. Not even Microsoft have come up with a standarised way of reffering to non-desktop apps. First it was Metro, now it's not. Then again, Office 2013 is very "metro", yet it's still a desktop app.

From a corporate view point, Microsoft should become aware that when people are misusing the terms, it's not because people have FAILED to try to understand Microsoft's viewpoint. It's because Microsoft has failed to either understand how the user/consumer thinks, or has failed to get the PROPER message to the consumer.

I'm all for windows 8, but going against the people that use the OS is not a solution.

Proficient

Anthonyd

Posted
Posted

Are you suggesting that people should get a lecture on Microsoft viewpoint and philosophy before using the OS and asking questions about it? That's not how it should work. Not even Microsoft have come up with a standarised way of reffering to non-desktop apps. First it was Metro, now it's not. Then again, Office 2013 is very "metro", yet it's still a desktop app.

I think you should get a lecture about design language, because you are confusing the programming language with the design language.
Grand Master

Dot Matrix

Posted
Posted

Coming from you, your response is completely meaningless, as you have been one of metro's most ardent proponents, in the most extreme sense. Not once in any of your postings have you shown even the slightest understanding of the arguments against it.(metro)

I understand perfectly the arguments against it. But considering that the role of a PC has expanded beyond a huge box that sits on your desk, the are many many scenarios where the desktop UI isn't cutting it anymore, and a new way of doing things is needed. I installed an Home Theater PC this week for my room in my apartment. Considering that my TV is bigger than any PC monitor out there, the desktop UI is not meant for it. I have to raise the DPI to 200% just to see anything from my couch, and then I have to use a friggin mouse to click on the icons just to get to Media Center. I have since installed Windows 8, gotten rid of the desktop and desktop apps, and use nothing but the "so-called" tablet only apps that people hate so much. They're working 100,000,000,000,000x better thanthe desktop apps even did. The new Start screen adjusts itself to my screens's resolution, and for once, I can see the friggin icons I'm clicking on. Better yet, Metro IE has been the best browser for using with the HTPC.

I blew away all desktop apps and the desktop tile on my laptop, again, here I do not miss the desktop apps in the least bit. I have been just as productive at school using nothing but Modern apps as I was using the old desktop. Which brings in the Surface Pro and related tablets. If I can live in Modern on a laptop, I can certainly do the same on a convertible as well, again, negating the need for the desktop at all. How about PCs connected to kiosks? ATMs, etc. I'd imagine, Windows Embedded is going to be nothing but Modern fairly soon. Since embedded PC serve a single function, the desktop is wasted on them.

So tell me again why the desktop is almighty? Because the more you look at it, the more the desktop is looking outdated, old, and depreciated.

Mentor

MFH

Posted
Posted

What is ambiguous about it exactly? I know exactly what it is and where it is, and how to call it.

Because accoring to Microsoft the term "system tray" is meaningless. It's a made-up name by users that has no assossiation to the officlal term "notification area". (see: http://blogs.msdn.co...9/10/54831.aspx)

@Dot Matrix: are you really using Windows 8 as a HTPC (I ask as it lacks Media Center...)

Rising Star

@Leo

Posted
Posted

Because accoring to Microsoft the term "system tray" is meaningless. It's a made-up name by users that has no assossiation to the officlal term "notification area". (see: http://blogs.msdn.co...9/10/54831.aspx)

I see what you mean, but even "notification area" is a logical and known name. :)

Mentor

MFH

Posted
Posted

I see what you mean, but even "notification area" is a logical and known name. :)

True, but I bet that you more often hear the term "tray" than the term "notification area"...

Think about it, even people that know the official term will use the inoffical one if they talk to "normal" users...

Personally I still prefer the term "Metro UI" for the new UI as it's based on the Metro Design Language and every alternative we have heard 'till now was simply stupid (IMHO)...

Veteran

Shane Nokes

Posted
Posted

Because accoring to Microsoft the term "system tray" is meaningless. It's a made-up name by users that has no assossiation to the officlal term "notification area". (see: http://blogs.msdn.co...9/10/54831.aspx)

@Dot Matrix: are you really using Windows 8 as a HTPC (I ask as it lacks Media Center...)

Actually only Raymond Chen said that.

Microsoft uses the term in their official documentation at times, as evidenced by this:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/176085

Veteran

Shane Nokes

Posted
Posted

Thanks for that link, so it seems even MS and their evangelist can't decide 100% on how to call anything :)

When it comes to official answers, I take support documentation (that has be cleared before posting) over the blog comments of the evangelist.

I won't call that my 'official' answer, but you can read between the lines. ;)

This topic is now closed to further replies.
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Posts

    • Politically funny images of the World

      By +primortal · Posted

    • EU Commission explains why Siri AI isn't launching in the EU, and Apple is to blame

      By Paul1979UK · Posted

      This is about the EU given consumers options, Apple is all about not giving options and locking you into its own services, this hurts Apple far more than it hurts the EU market because it makes Apple products look less appealing by Apple refusing to offer its own service because they have to give options to rivals, the end results are consumers might look at alternatives like Android. It's a game Apple can't really win when there are alternatives and Apple will in time change course on this, until then, let Apple hurt themselves in the EU market.
    • Microsoft unveils new Surface Laptop with improved trackpad, Snapdragon X2, and more

      By TarasBuria · Posted

      Microsoft unveils new Surface Laptop with improved trackpad, Snapdragon X2, and more by Taras Buria Microsoft's new Surface Laptop Ultra generated a lot of buzz earlier this month, but in addition to its most powerful laptop with an NVIDIA chip, Microsoft also has a more affordable laptop lineup, which has been waiting for an update for quite a while. Today, Microsoft announced the eighth-generation Surface Laptop. The new Surface Laptop is powered by the Snapdragon X2 Plus and X2 Elite processors. These chips offer faster CPU performance, up to 58% faster graphics, and 80 TOPS Neural Processing Units (NPUs) for on-device AI processing. Like the previous models, these chips retain their great energy efficiency, and Microsoft says that buyers can expect up to 20 hours of work on a single charge. The laptop is available in two sizes: 13.8-inch and 15-inch. You will have a hard time finding visual differences between the new and previous models, as Microsoft is not taking any major design leaps, except for the new Jade color, which may look familiar to Surface Laptop 5 owners. Other colors include Platinum, Black, and Dune. The 15-inch variant got a higher-resolution display. It is a 3,270 x 2,180 resolution screen with a pixel density of 262 ppi (the 13-inch model has a 201 ppi density) and a maximum brightness of 600 nits SDR and HDR. Unlike the Surface Pro 12th-gen, which is available with optional OLED displays, the Surface Laptop sticks with IPS, a 1,300:1 contrast ratio, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 3:2 aspect ratio. Another notable change in the Surface Laptop 8 is its trackpad. It now provides haptic feedback when you perform various actions in apps and the operating system. It is a relatively new feature that Microsoft brought to Windows 11 in recent updates, and it is only available on certain devices, such as the Logitech MX Master 4, Surface Slim Pen 2, the upcoming Surface Laptop Ultra, and now the Surface Laptop 8. The new Surface Laptop with the new Surface Pro Like its tablet-shaped sibling, the new Surface Laptop is notably more expensive. It starts at a $1,599 for a 13.8-inch configuration with a 256GB SSD and 16GB of RAM. However, in the US, the base model has double the storage while keeping the same price. Available configurations include up to 64GB of memory and up to 2TB SSD (user-removable PCIe Gen4). The Surface Laptop 8 is now available for purchase on the official Microsoft website.
    • Microsoft announces 12th-gen Surface Pro with Snapdragon X2 processors

      By TarasBuria · Posted

      Microsoft announces 12th-gen Surface Pro with Snapdragon X2 processors by Taras Buria So far, 2026 has been rich in Surface announcements. Microsoft started with a fresh lineup of Surface for Business devices powered by Intel's new Core Ultra 300 processors. Then the company revealed the Surface Laptop Ultra, its most powerful laptop with NVIDIA's RTX Spark processor. Now, it is time for new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models with Qualcomm processors. Microsoft's original Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X1 chips debuted in late May 2024. Two years later, Microsoft is finally updating the lineup with new models featuring Snapdragon X2 processors. The 12th-gen Surface Pro continues the well-established formula of Microsoft's flagship tablet, and Microsoft is not even changing colors, as the tablet will be available in three colors: Dune, Black, and Platinum. The most important changes are mostly hidden inside. Microsoft switched from the Snapdragon X1 to the new Snapdragon X2, which promises up to 53% faster graphics performance than the previous generation and up to 15.5 hours of battery life. The built-in NPU is also much more powerful, and it can run at up to 80 TOPS for on-device AI processing. Like before, the new Surface Pro is available with a 13-inch IPS display, and Microsoft is still offering OLED as a separate, more expensive configuration. Speaking of configurations, the Surface Pro will be available with a 10-core Snapdragon X2 Plus or a 12-core Snapdragon X2 Elite. Microsoft expanded the available RAM configurations to 64GB (previously 32GB was the maximum), while storage remains unchanged at 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of user-replaceable PCIe Gen4 SSDs. The new Surface Pro and the Surface Laptop Other specs remain mostly unchanged. The computer has the same 1440p Windows Hello webcam, two USB4 ports for charging, data, and display output, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 support, dual speakers, and compatibility with Surface Pro Signature and Flex keyboards. With that said, there is one very important aspect of the Surface Pro that changed significantly, and it is the price. While the previous-gen Surface Pro launched at $999 for the base configuration, in 2026, the entry-level Surface Pro with Snapdragon X2, 16GB of memory, and 256GB will set you back an eye-watering $1,499. To sweeten the pill, Microsoft is running a limited-time promotion where Surface Pro buyers can get a free Surface Pro 13-inch Keyboard. The promo runs from June 16 through June 30. The new Surface Pro is available now on the official Microsoft Store website.
    • MakeMKV 1.18.4 Beta

      By Copernic · Posted

      MakeMKV 1.18.4 Beta by Razvan Serea MakeMKV is a format converter, otherwise called "transcoder". It converts the video clips from proprietary (and usually encrypted) disc into a set of MKV files, preserving most information but not changing it in any way. The MKV format can store multiple video/audio tracks with all meta-information and preserve chapters. There are many players that can play MKV files nearly on all platforms, and there are tools to convert MKV files to many formats, including DVD and Blu-ray discs. Additionally MakeMKV can instantly stream decrypted video without intermediate conversion to wide range of players, so you may watch Blu-ray and DVD discs with your favorite player on your favorite OS or on your favorite device. Reads DVD and Blu-ray discs Reads Blu-ray discs protected with latest versions of AACS and BD+ Preserves all video and audio tracks, including HD audio Preserves chapters information Preserves all meta-information (track language, audio type) Fast conversion - converts as fast as your drive can read data. No additional software is required for conversion or decryption. Available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux Functionality to open DVD discs is free and will always stay free. All features (including Blu-ray decryption and processing) are free during BETA. MakeMKV 1.18.4 changelog: Small improvements and bugfixes Notable bug fixes: Fixed linux armhf binary crash on certain architectures Download: MakeMKV 1.18.4 Beta | 15.7 MB (Free, paid upgrade available) Download: MakeMKV for Mac OS X | 41.9 MB Links: MakeMKV Website | MakeMKV for Linux | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware

  • Recent Achievements

    • One Year In
      Console General earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Year In
      Twozo Technologies earned a badge
      One Year In
    • One Month Later
      Twozo Technologies earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      Twozo Technologies earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Veteran
      branfont went up a rank
      Veteran

  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      525
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      209
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      113
    4. 4
      Steven P.
      90
    5. 5
      Nick H.
      71
    Show More

  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!