Side by Side Windows coming to Windows Phone

[George P Global Moderator]

Mary Jo Foley reports that they next version of Windows Phone, Threshold, will bring a feature I know some readers have been demanding for some time.

 

According to her sources Windows Threshold, which unifies Windows Phone and Windows RT, and which is due in 2015, will work differently on different devices.

 

She writes:

 

The combined Phone/Tablet SKU of Threshold won?t have a Desktop environment at all, but still will support apps running side-by-side, my sources are reconfirming. This "Threshold Mobile" SKU will work on ARM-based Windows Phones (not just Lumias), ARM-based Windows tablets and, I believe, Intel-Atom-based tablets.

 

http://wmpoweruser.com/side-by-side-windows-coming-to-windows-phone/

 

Not so important on 4" - 4.7" phones but once we start talking 5.5" and 6" phablets then a side-by-side/snap mode for apps would be nice IMO.

[Stoffel]

Or they only enable it on +7" devices (tablets). There is really not that much use for multiple windows on your phone. 

The article says that the OS will behave differently on different devices.

[Order_66]

So am I understanding this correctly, if I install this on my RT device I will no longer have a desktop environment at all?

[HawkMan]

So am I understanding this correctly, if I install this on my RT device I will no longer have a desktop environment at all?

 

Modern office should be out by then so there won't be any need.

[Roberticus]

Modern office should be out by then so there won't be any need.

Why do people really want Desktop to disappear from RT? I find it handy when I want to manage files and such.

[George P Global Moderator]

Or they only enable it on +7" devices (tablets). There is really not that much use for multiple windows on your phone. 

The article says that the OS will behave differently on different devices.

 

We'll have to wait and see, it could be useful on a large screen phone as well, I could think of a few times it'd be of use.

Why do people really want Desktop to disappear from RT? I find it handy when I want to manage files and such.

 

Depends on what you want from the device, ARM is locked down app wise so you're not going to run desktop apps anyways.  If the only thing is file management then just like they did with Windows Phone 8.1 and the new Files app, they can do a tablet version of the app (make it a universal app) that will give you most of the features from File Explorer and then, IMO, the need for the desktop on a 7-8" tablet or even 10", is lowered a lot if not fully for most people.

[Order_66]

Why do people really want Desktop to disappear from RT? I find it handy when I want to manage files and such.

 

Because going backwards is better than moving forward, it's the new craze, destroy what works in favor of something that just "sort of" works, innovation is long gone and change for the sake of change has taken its place.

[George P Global Moderator]

Because going backwards is better than moving forward, it's the new craze, destroy what works in favor of something that just "sort of" works, innovation is long gone and change for the sake of change has taken its place.

 

Talk about blowing this out of proportion.  Do the other tablet/mobile device OS's need a "desktop" to work?  No, they don't.  They're talking about for specific device types here, not for everything.  There's no real need for a desktop on mini-tablets, and if you're one of those who does want one then just get an x86 device and not an ARM device, problem solved. 

[HawkMan]

Because going backwards is better than moving forward, it's the new craze, destroy what works in favor of something that just "sort of" works, innovation is long gone and change for the sake of change has taken its place.

 

Desktop file manager on a touch device "works" , but it's a lack of anything else solution. A proper modern file manager is going forward.

[Dot Matrix]

The One Drive app works as a File manager as well. You can manage files through there. Nobody needs the desktop in RT, as there is nothing at all you can do with it outside of Office.

[jakem1]

The One Drive app works as a File manager as well. You can manage files through there. Nobody needs the desktop in RT, as there is nothing at all you can do with it outside of Office.

 

That's not true at all.  I drop back to the desktop on my Surface for the command prompt, to access network shares, check services, etc. There are loads of tools that are only available on the desktop in Windows.

[Order_66]

Desktop file manager on a touch device "works" , but it's a lack of anything else solution. A proper modern file manager is going forward.

 

Have you ever used an RT device? a powerful and "proper" file manager is already built in and it can be found on the desktop side.

[Dot Matrix]

That's not true at all.  I drop back to the desktop on my Surface for the command prompt, to access network shares, check services, etc. There are loads of tools that are only available on the desktop in Windows.

And considering Threshold is supposed to be a complete make over, you should see that appear on the Metro side.

[Dot Matrix]

That's not true at all.  I drop back to the desktop on my Surface for the command prompt, to access network shares, check services, etc. There are loads of tools that are only available on the desktop in Windows.

Those are also atypical usage scenarios for tablet users. Remember, RT is an iPad competitor.

[Order_66]

Talk about blowing this out of proportion.  Do the other tablet/mobile device OS's need a "desktop" to work?  No, they don't.  They're talking about for specific device types here, not for everything.  There's no real need for a desktop on mini-tablets, and if you're one of those who does want one then just get an x86 device and not an ARM device, problem solved. 

 

I'm just stating a fact, removing the desktop in RT is a regressive move no matter how you look at it, it has a better file manager, more internet explorer options and a far more robust office experience.

 

Having the desktop on an RT device is one of the things that sets it above and beyond the android and apple powered devices in the same category, the entire surface lineup is already suffering due to high pricing and lack of a quality marketplace, removing features is not the solution, if I ever update my RT device and find that my desktop has disappeared it will go directly to ebay because it will not be worth anything to me at that point.

And considering Threshold is supposed to be a complete make over, you should see that appear on the Metro side.

 

 

And will it be a half-baked replacement just like 80% of the metro replacement apps already are?

[Roberticus]

The One Drive app works as a File manager as well. You can manage files through there. Nobody needs the desktop in RT, as there is nothing at all you can do with it outside of Office.

Every now and then it's good with even basic Paint if I want to take a screenshot and make a circle to emphasize something. Command prompt comes in handy when you want to batch rename stuff. 

One Drive app works yes, but what if I want to copy lots of different stuff from an USB drive (music, videos, pictures, documents etc)? So easy with traditional file explorer. 

If they remove the Desktop, will Modern Office be good when I use 24" external monitor? If I have multiple documents open (word and excel and adding stuff to Powerpoint), how would that work with having Modern Office apps taking up of the screen? I wouldn't want to switch apps all the time.

[HawkMan]

Have you ever used an RT device? a powerful and "proper" file manager is already built in and it can be found on the desktop side.

 

And again, it "works" but it's horrible from a usability perspective. I repeat a "PROPER" modern file manager is the future.  not a makeshift workaround cludgy solution. 

[BajiRav]

Why do people really want Desktop to disappear from RT? I find it handy when I want to manage files and such.

I guess they can slim down the OS by removing all such stuff. The install size of Windows Phone OS is ~2GB whereas Windows RT is humongous. If they want to merge the two OS, they will have to shed some fat.