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[StudioTan]

Hadn't really used the music app on my previous RP partition because I didn't put my music on that one. I'd done so on this one and tried to use the app. Whelp, gotta install Zune immediately that thing is horrid.

Yeah, it's certainly not ready for prime time. I'm hoping there is a significant improvement for the official release. In the meantime I'm also using Zune which is awesome.

 

[Mr_Zombie]

Is there a reason why I can mouse over to the right to scroll the start menu, but I have to click and drag the bar in every metro app to scroll them?

Not every app has this method of scrolling implemented. Lots of apps don't even utilize mouse wheel. :/

 

[Steelyuhas]

Yeah, it's certainly not ready for prime time. I'm hoping there is a significant improvement for the official release. In the meantime I'm also using Zune which is awesome.

Same here. I'm perfectly willing to use the Metro apps on the desktop, but they need to be good. Curious to see the state of Metro apps at RTM, and see how they improve as we move towards October.

I assumed once RTM hits that the Store app process will be fully running with any and all developers submitting apps and updating them regularly as they see fit.

 

[BocoDragon]

Same here. I'm perfectly willing to use the Metro apps on the desktop, but they need to be good. Curious to see the state of Metro apps at RTM, and see how they improve as we move towards October.

I assumed once RTM hits that the Store app process will be fully running with any and all developers submitting apps and updating them regularly as they see fit.

Yup. Gotta turn on the "monetization" switch before we see the bulk of them.

 

[Ceebs]

Installed the preview and tried it out for a bit.

I absolutely hate it. It could be a matter of finding where all the usual things are that I use, but from a usability standpoint it seems like more hassle than a sleek home screen is worth.

 

[brotkasten]

Installed the preview and tried it out for a bit.

I absolutely hate it. It could be a matter of finding where all the usual things are that I use, but from a usability standpoint it seems like more hassle than a sleek home screen is worth.

It takes time to get used to it. What exactly are your problems with it?

 

[Windu]

Windows 8: New Mice And Keyboards

 

[Hoo-doo]

Windows 8: New Mice And Keyboards

Lol at that wedge mouse. Who approved this monstrosity?

 

[brotkasten]

Lol at that wedge mouse. Who approved this monstrosity?

Probably the same people who approved the Arc mice.

 

[show me your skeleton]

Lol at that wedge mouse. Who approved this monstrosity?

i assume it's meant to combine a trackpad & mouse. not sure if that excuses it from the seemingly poor ergonomics.

 

[glaurung]

Most people who used the Arc mouse said it was nice. The Wedge mouse looks like a door stop.

 

[Walshicus]

Probably the same people who approved the Arc mice.

I bought one of those from Amazon recently (£30 compared to £50 in Dixons!). Love it. I don't think there's been anything as satisfying to "switch" since Nokia's Matrix phone.

 

[maeh2k]

i assume it's meant to combine a trackpad & mouse. not sure if that excuses it from the seemingly poor ergonomics.

People jump to conclusions too fast. It's not clear that the ergonomics are bad. The mouse is really small and it's not meant to be gripped with the whole palm, but you just hold its sides with your fingers. For that the shape is not that important.

The mouse also has a touch surface e.g. for scrolling both horizontally and vertically. So in a way the shape is very functional as it keeps the mouse small while providing a flat surface for touch.

 

[James-Ape]

The Arc Mouse was good, the non-touch version at least.

 

[JaggedSac]

Add me to the Arc Mouse being good camp. Have the white one and it is very comfortable.



EDIT: If the gestures work well and are comfortable to do constantly, the touch mice could definitely help Windows 8. Also, if they don't cost an arm and a leg.

 

[Blackhead]

What are the Windows equivalents for:

HiDPI mode for high resolution screens? Is it enabled automatically or does the user need to configure some settings?

Better Touch Tool for setting up gestures that work with Apple's trackpads?

Menu Everywhere for accessing the app menu—or even ribbon commands—at the mouse tip?

 

[MrBig]

HiDPI mode for high resolution screens? Is it enabled automatically or does the user need to configure some settings?

There's supposed to be something like that in RTM but it's not in RP so no one can comment.

 

[Wazzim]

Does W8 make use of the multitouch trackpads that come with modern notebooks?

 

[dLMN8R]

Does W8 make use of the multitouch trackpads that come with modern notebooks?

The support is there, but the drivers need to be updated for it to work right:

http://www.winsupersite.com/article...lease-preview-trackpad-gesture-support-143246

If you buy a new machine with Windows 8 on it, the PC manufacturer needs to include support in-box.

 

[Exuro]

mouse wheel

I'm on a laptop without such an input method. It's making metro apps annoying to use. I don't get why the start menu supports it while apps dont.

 

[Windu]

I'm on a laptop without such an input method. It's making metro apps annoying to use. I don't get why the start menu supports it while apps dont.

pre-release. It is a known issue. 8 will support trackpad geatures etc.. so that will probably be the easiest way to navigate on a laptop. Although you might need new hardware.

 

[buhdeh]

Just have to say again that the weather app is terrible. Takes forever to open - literally longer than opening chrome and typing in "vancouver weather". And I don't know how no one caught that scrolling through the app with the mouse wheel gets you stuck on the vertical forecast. Seriously... just no care or thought in the design at all.

 

[sangreal]

Probably the same people who approved the Arc mice.

I have that first mouse and its a great travel mouse. just wish it was bluetooth

 

[Windu]

Just have to say again that the weather app is terrible. Takes forever to open - literally longer than opening chrome and typing in "vancouver weather". And I don't know how no one caught that scrolling through the app with the mouse wheel gets you stuck on the vertical forecast. Seriously... just no care or thought in the design at all.

Yeah i dont care for that application, although i think those issues with scrolling are just pre-release bugs. Honestly i wouldnt judge these apps till final. The apps in the RP havent even been updated much since the CP back in late February.

 

[rozay]

Just have to say again that the weather app is terrible. Takes forever to open - literally longer than opening chrome and typing in "vancouver weather". And I don't know how no one caught that scrolling through the app with the mouse wheel gets you stuck on the vertical forecast. Seriously... just no care or thought in the design at all.

The only reason I'm giving metro apps a pass with the long ass load times is because it's still the release preview. Final release apps need to be much, much faster.

 

[MrBig]

I'm on a laptop without such an input method. It's making metro apps annoying to use. I don't get why the start menu supports it while apps dont.

All trackpads should support either side-scrolling or two finger scrolling

 

[royalan]

Just have to say again that the weather app is terrible. Takes forever to open - literally longer than opening chrome and typing in "vancouver weather". And I don't know how no one caught that scrolling through the app with the mouse wheel gets you stuck on the vertical forecast. Seriously... just no care or thought in the design at all.

Not as bad as the music app. Just god-fucking-awful in every possible way. And there seems to be no reason for it; MS already has the base for at least a passable app thanks to their existing zune software.

Sucks because visually, I think the app is stunning when it's working. And being able to drag playlists into the snap panel is a cool function that I would actually use if the rest of the app didn't totally suck.

Speaking of the snap panel...any way to set Windows to remember the last app I was using in it? For example, I'll have tweetro open in it, and then I'll start doing something that I want to use my entire screen for, so I'll slide it closed for the moment. But, at this point the panel is gone and I have to drag the tweetro app back to the corner to activate it again. Minor gripe I know, but it would be nice to get able to just slide that panel back open and have whatever app I was using last waiting for me.

 

[Exuro]

All trackpads should support either side-scrolling or two finger scrolling

I'll try it out. Still annoyed/confused why they can't just do it like the start menu.

 

[MCD]

Why no Back/Forward buttons on the Sculpt Touch Mouse?

Really shitty there, MS.

 

[royalan]

Wrong thread

 

[Windu]

forgot you could do this (desktop toolbar)

 

[Walshicus]

forgot you could do this (desktop toolbar)

Heh, so basically the Start Menu...? Re-key the Windows button to bring that up and you've probably fixed 90% of people's Win 8 concerns, right?

 

[Rlan]

It's still not delivering the application through the store, that's only limited to Metro apps (for the time being).

That's honestly what I think Gabe and the Blizzard guy are talking about. If/When MS opens the store up to traditional applications, that will have an impact on Steam.

I think the ultimate goal is to allow Desktop Apps and and Metro Apps to be sold through the store directly, they just haven't added the ability to hook up Desktop Apps at the moment.

From the looks of it it'll be:

Metro Apps -- Apps that work across Desktop and Tablet devices. Work specifically in widescreen, 4:3 and 1:4 aspect ratios.
Desktop Apps -- Things that are created specifically for desktop machines.

At the moment they've got a "desktop app" for Winzip as just a link. In a perfect world I should be able to purchase WinZip directly from the App store and have it under my purchased applications. They won't keep the link stuff, because they want you to feel secure with your purchase (I imagine).

My main issue with Windows 8 at the moment is the store's inability to "Search" for anything normally. The only way it works is by pressing WindowsKey+Q, which is the opposite of ideal. Need a button or something to begin searching straight away.

 

[Windu]

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-...&utm_campaign=Feed:+neowin-main+(Neowin+News)

 

[Steelyuhas]

My main issue with Windows 8 at the moment is the store's inability to "Search" for anything normally. The only way it works is by pressing WindowsKey+Q, which is the opposite of ideal. Need a button or something to begin searching straight away.

Well that's not going to change, it's a specific and deliberate design choice of the Metro framework. The search charm is how you search in a metro app, and can also be selected and searched in while running any other app. Same philosophy behind settings always being in the charm as well. This is something that takes a bit of getting used to, but I think it's a good decision, makes for consistent and uniform access to searching and settings regardless of what app you're in.

 

[ralexand]

Off topic but does anyone know if the surface computer have nfc?

 

[xptoxyz]

Off topic but does anyone know if the surface computer have nfc?

It's not on the spec sheet.

 

[brotkasten]

Off topic but does anyone know if the surface computer have nfc?

It's not on the spec sheet.

NFC is a hardware requirement for new Windows 8 machines. So yes, it will have NFC.

 

[ralexand]

NFC is a hardware requirement for new Windows 8 machines. So yes, it will have NFC.

Never heard that before. Are you sure that's a requirement for all new win8 machines

 

[Rlan]

Well that's not going to change, it's a specific and deliberate design choice of the Metro framework. The search charm is how you search in a metro app, and can also be selected and searched in while running any other app. Same philosophy behind settings always being in the charm as well. This is something that takes a bit of getting used to, but I think it's a good decision, makes for consistent and uniform access to searching and settings regardless of what app you're in.

I like the actual interface for the search in general, but I still need some way to actually bring up the search mechanism by pressing a button. Apps can bring up the "Share" charm by having a button pressed. The store needs one to bring up the search charm.

I'm not sure how easy it is to bring up the right side menu on a tablet, but it's a pain on my dual screens.

 

[brotkasten]

Never heard that before. Are you sure that's a requirement for all new win8 machines

I checked the requirements again and I saw why I thought NFC was a requirement.

The NFC touch marks are a fixed requirement for every devices that comes with NFC, but NFC itself is not. Sorry for the confusion.

NFC “touch marks”
Microsoft requires that Windows 8 PCs featuring NFC technology have “touch marks”. This one is a no brainer – A PC, likely a tablet or slate, must have a sticker or similar signage indicating where another NFC capable device can mate with it. I bring this up because we’re not used to NFC being visible in this manner. Today, NFC is available in Google’s new Galaxy Nexus phone for the most part. To invoke it, you presumably start a supportive application and mash it onto a NFC reader, moving it around until it beeps. With a larger form factor, however, knowing where the sensor is physically located becomes crucial to avoid Neanderthal-like clashing of tablets.

 

[scorcho]

What are the Windows equivalents for:

HiDPI mode for high resolution screens? Is it enabled automatically or does the user need to configure some settings?

Better Touch Tool for setting up gestures that work with Apple's trackpads?

Menu Everywhere for accessing the app menu—or even ribbon commands—at the mouse tip?

haven't tried it on my MBP yet, but here's a Win 7 trackpad driver - http://trackpad.powerplan7.com/

 

[antiquegamer]

Why no Back/Forward buttons on the Sculpt Touch Mouse?

Really shitty there, MS.

The back/forward is probably on the scroll strip like their previous touch mouse. I have the cheap touch mouse that I used for my laptop when I am on the go and the silver scroll strip also double as back / forward, though it really take time to get use to. I also find them not very responsive due to the fact that there are three buttons on one strip. I love the mouse blue-track though, as it track better than my wireless Logitech mouse.

 

[hillsighed]

So, I recently decided to install the release preview (I had used the Developer Preview for awhile, but I had to go back to Windows 7 because there just wasn't enough there to hold me interest.) I'm really excited about Windows 8 in general, but I use a Zune (well, did), Windows Phone, Zune PC Software, etc. so I guess that's no surprise. I'm pretty tied into the Live network.

After having used Windows Phone for nearly 2 years now, it feels so natural. I love the Live Tiles, and I really love some of the apps. I think my favourite feature are notifications, though. So awesome.

A really good Google Reader app and I'm set -- Dark RSS Reader is OK but it needs work. Can you add your own custom feeds to the News app?

 

[rozay]

http://www.neowin.net/news/windows-...&utm_campaign=Feed:+neowin-main+(Neowin+News)

whaaaaat

I'm expecting the start screen to look like ass with some of those. Metro isn't about being busy!

 

[Mr_Zombie]

whaaaaat

I'm expecting the start screen to look like ass with some of those. Metro isn't about being busy!

It's as if they don't understand why the start screen looks so great on WP7.
Plain background + monocolor tiles = pretty and elegant screen.
Busy background + colorful tiles = ugly and distracting screen.

 

[rozay]

It's as if they don't understand why the start screen looks so great on WP7.
Plain background + monocolor tiles = pretty and elegant screen.
Busy background + colorful tiles = ugly and distracting screen.

yeah pretty much.
I think the minimal designs like what they have in the CP and RP are best for accentuating the tiles.

 

[jagowar]

If they tone the opacity of the images (have to assume they will like the current designs) then it won't look bad imo....

 

[Tuck]

It's as if they don't understand why the start screen looks so great on WP7.
Plain background + monocolor tiles = pretty and elegant screen.
Busy background + colorful tiles = ugly and distracting screen.

No.

Stop. I hate you. Get out.

The amount of wrong in that one post shall haunt my nightmares for weeks.

 

[Mr_Zombie]

No.

Stop. I hate you. Get out.

The amount of wrong in that one post shall haunt my nightmares for weeks.

I'm not against customization (I love my set of wallpapers!), but I'm just speaking about Metro. It works best when it looks simple and minimalistic. Throwing lots of patterns and colors at it just makes it look clumsy.