Hot Coldman
Banned
Threshold? Can I use it to summon giant gorilla monsters?
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Next Windows release "Threshold", to unify operating systems
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Wiktor
Member
Umm...Apple isn't doing anything like that. I expect they will sooner or later attempt to copy Microsoft's solution though.
I called it 'the new Windows Runtime' because that's what it's called. And yes, it's restricted to shit from their store. That's the entire problem. It's the same garbage that Apple does with iOS. Nobody should be accepting that.
alexandros
Banned
Of course he was. Everyone could see this coming a mile away.
Wiktor
Member
Yeah, except Gabe wants to fuck us just as badly as people are afraid Microsoft might.
Warm Machine
Member
There isn't any money in the desktop. There is quickly growing a belief that an OS should be free. Hell the new Apple desktop/laptop OS is free. Smartphones get free OSs all the time.
Building an App store and an app infrastructure is the only way for a company like MS to finance this new model of development.
Don't even bother of thinking of MS as some 800lb gorilla in the consumer software world anymore. There are loads of modern Android and iOS powered devices out in the world now and people are using those for their personal primary computing needs.
You can't bemoan MS about a walled garden and champion Linux SteamOS simultaneously, as Steam is one of the biggest app stores around. Yeah you can do more than just Steam on a SteamOS box but you can do more on a Win8/9 box as well.
Hybrids are ideal on a consumer level as well. Why should the consumer be forced to buy a desktop, tablet, and a phone when there is obvious ways to converge all of them because all of them are more or less duplicates of one another with slightly different form factors.
Give MS time here. They are 4 years behind and playing catchup.
Building an App store and an app infrastructure is the only way for a company like MS to finance this new model of development.
Don't even bother of thinking of MS as some 800lb gorilla in the consumer software world anymore. There are loads of modern Android and iOS powered devices out in the world now and people are using those for their personal primary computing needs.
You can't bemoan MS about a walled garden and champion Linux SteamOS simultaneously, as Steam is one of the biggest app stores around. Yeah you can do more than just Steam on a SteamOS box but you can do more on a Win8/9 box as well.
Hybrids are ideal on a consumer level as well. Why should the consumer be forced to buy a desktop, tablet, and a phone when there is obvious ways to converge all of them because all of them are more or less duplicates of one another with slightly different form factors.
Give MS time here. They are 4 years behind and playing catchup.
Mr. Wonderful
Member
I can't believe that they didn't do this with Windows 8, honestly. I thought that was the point of completely rewriting Windows Phone and screwing over all the users and developers on Windows Phone 7?
I think the fear is that eventually Microsoft or Apple is going to flip a switch and make their OSes App Store-only. Or, more realistically, limit API access more and more to only applications that are released through the App Stores.
I think the fear is that eventually Microsoft or Apple is going to flip a switch and make their OSes App Store-only. Or, more realistically, limit API access more and more to only applications that are released through the App Stores.
see what? A unified app store, while preserving what makes each platform unique? Because that's what this news is.
Barkley's Justice
Member
So Apple is not unifying features of iOS into OS X and vice versa? Like Notifications, app pausing, social sharing built into the OS, etc etc etc
So the App Store and Xcode, then?
Warm Machine
Member
They can't. The Windows software development ecosystem requires significant access for software like AutoCAD, 3ds MAX, SolidWorks, Adobe Creative Cloud, and so on. Let alone to millions of applications that companies pay to get made to serve their enterprise needs.
Visual Studio alone, what drives most application development the world over, needs to be pretty transparent. People seem to forget that MS makes and sells loads of professional development tools while also making consumer level software.
Wiktor
Member
Apple isn't attempting to have one OS for both computer and mobile though, at least not year.
THey're just adding features from both OSes. Which is something Microsoft has been doing for over a decade. So in this case Apple is following Microsoft's lead. Altough with how petite the OSX marketshare is I expect they will have a lot easier time if they ever attempt to move their computers purely to iOS
Treefingers
Member
The App Store is not unified. Mac App Store is completely separate from the iOS App Store.
alexandros
Banned
No, I don't think so.
Warm Machine
Member
Get Asphalt 8. Pretty good little game that runs beautifully on the Surface Pro. Let alone Facebook and Twitter and all. No way I'm using the web versions of those when the app exists.
Wiktor
Member
To me Valve is getting way to strong and they're already proved that they won't have any problem with fucking over their customers as long as it's benefical to them. SteamOS taking off big way would be end of times scenario for pcgaming for me.
I guess we have to agree to disagree.
It's called Windows Runtime. Not "The new Windows Runtime". It's been out for over a year, and developers have been using it for two - it's not new. Nor does it need a "The" in front of it since it's a proper noun.
WinRT is a set of extensions (with an API) focused on enabling developers to slap together tablet-style "apps" and shove them into the Windows 8 UI. WinRT is currently locked down to shit that comes through their store.
Windows desktop software is not locked down and it will continue to exist for decades to come.
It's simple.
Windows 8 / Modern UI / "Metro" style tablet/phone "apps"? Through the store.
Desktop software? Same as always.
Yet people continue to spread FUD about shit being locked down as if people will be unable to develop or install software for Windows without going through the Windows Store.
alexandros
Banned
Yup. I don't agree with your opinion but I do respect it.
PetriP-TNT
Member
People don't understand that Windows 8 has the same desktop capabilities has Win 7 so that ain't a surprise at all.
Proof of point: this thread, that thread, pretty much every thread on GAF that mentions Windows 8
Why do people claim Steam OS will be so great when that platform is a walled garden just like the App Store in Windows 8. Obviously for games it's good, but many people are against the "closed" nature of Windows 8's store vs Steam, which makes no sense.
Windows is only locked down in that store metro area. You can still download and do whatever you want in the desktop environment.
Windows is only locked down in that store metro area. You can still download and do whatever you want in the desktop environment.
When what happens?
I heard windows 8 was going to remove the desktop, all my windows 7 programs work perfectly.
Then I was told windows 8.1 was the beginning of the end for the desktop, improvements were made for the desktop, and settings were added to make it more desktop centric.
now news that has nothing to do with it is being used as evidence for eliminating....something, I assume desktop.
My question is, when will the naysayers give up? Windows 9? 10? At some point spreading fear won't work anymore, right?
alexandros
Banned
We know. The fear is that Microsoft will discontinue or marginalize the desktop in favor of the Metro platform.
TheLaughingStock
Member
I highly doubt anything that's not x86/64 bit ARM will make it. Most of the phone and tablets will see voluntary turnover anyway.
Hari Seldon
Member
Mainly because the Steam OS means better driver and code support for Linux in general.
cartoon_soldier
Member
That's great, just do a better job at the OS ease of use than W8 for desktop users.
Hari Seldon
Member
I think if MS is intending to never kill off desktop, then they need to fucking say so and say it loud. They are either intending to kill it off at some point in the future, or really really really terrible at PR. Both are equally likely haha.
Barkley's Justice
Member
Nothing in that OP says Microsoft is building One OS to rule them all:
So, in other words, what Apple doing.
Windows 8 still has a command prompt. They do not have a history of giving up things in windows.
RedNumberFive
Banned
This. The Surface Pro has been the closest thing to a compelling product that they've created in years.
You're not actually saying anything I haven't. Win32 is going to be around for ages and ages. That doesn't make the state of WinRT any better.
As an enterprise-class alternative? Sure, yeah. For the desktop? Lol.
Interfectum
Gold Member
You seem to be missing the bigger picture here. If Microsoft wants to truly unify all the operating systems that will basically mean the ability to download applications outside of their walled garden will probably go away. That's been the big fear of companies like Valve and it seems to be coming soon. That's not a good thing for PC gamers and the like.
Speedy Blue Dude
Banned
Because Gabe said so and Linux is better because Gabe.
I love this, being already an owner of a Windows Phone (and not leaving anytime soon), an Xbox One, and Windows 8 Desktop, I'd love to have everything unified. Playing Window Store games like Temple Run on my Xbox One? Yes please. Accessing all my files from my Windows 8 PC from my Window Phone? Yes please.
What is the evidence that they will do this in windows? Windows 7 programs work flawlessly on 8. 8.1 improved desktop and added settings to make it more desktop centric. Microsoft themselves are making desktop only programs.
This "bigger picture" is failing to happen. I will be happy to worry when there is reason to worry. Right now more options and the possibility of cross platform purchases(saving me money) is not really something I have a problem with.
lastflowers
Banned
no it doesn't(?)
Zombie James
Banned
Linux it is.
Kabuki Quantum Lover
Member
tracymorgannononono.gif
Yes and no. Realistically, it doesn't matter to end users, they want a simple, searchable place to find applications (Steam OS is also a wall garden). They want to know what applications do and associate permissions, they don't want installation side-effects and do want clean uninstalls. This actually doesn't mean a wall-garden either because web-apps (which are the future) are designed to work like this and nobody is giving the web up.
For power users they can't and won't get rid of admin-level access on PCs (though ideally a lot of applications should be subject to the same strong permissioning especially from foreign sources). There's too much that depends on it and you cannot develop software if you aren't allowed to run it yourself but the more consumer-centric you get the less you need to be running custom stuff on it.
SteveWinwood
Member
because...
quick hint
whatever you say probably hasnt been true for the last few years
2 ugly, 2 hard, 2 unsupported dont work no more
So after using 8.1 for a month now its not that bad. BUT why can metro not be optional??? Why could they not have both. This my problem with windows 8. When I am using it as a tablet it fine and good but when I want to use it as a desktop it sucks ass. I should hit desktop and it turns into windows 7 not some shit where I go into a settings and get put back into some crap metro interface.
StudioTan
Hold on, friend! I'd love to share with you some swell news about the Windows 8 Metro UI! Wait, where are you going?
Like where? You know you can right-click the lower left corner and get to the control panel which is unchanged, right?
Guy LeDouche
Banned
Microsoft's problem has never been good ideas, it's always the execution where they fuck up. Management is incompetent beyond repair. If they could only get out of their own way, the reality might match the vision but it's microsoft so lol no
Shao Kahn on the Lawn
Member
Win+X, "Control Panel".
I don't mean control panel. I mean like turning bluetooth on or wifi. When I am in desktop and click the bluetooth in the taskbar it take me into metro to turn it on. Then I have to click on the desktop tile to go back to desktop. It stuff like this that I hate about win8.
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