News and Events
After working around with Windows 8 Developer Preview I would say that the experience is quite something. I’m using Windows 8 on my 1825PTZ Acer Aspire this is a touch optimized tablet equipped with G-Sensor, CPU SU4100 with 2GB Memory, Intel GMA 4500MHD with 6-cell Li-ion Battery. Since this tablet is optimized for Windows 7 this is going to be an interesting experience. After Installation the first thing that you would land on is the Metro UI Interface at first I was shocked and didn’t know how to navigate the around the new UI. However the response of the Metro UI is one of the things that I was happy to use with the new OS from Microsoft, I even think that it has a better response than Windows 7. (Out of all the Hardware the only thing that seems to be unavailable is the G-Sensor).
The Metro UI on Windows 8
Details on Metro UI (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Microsoft-METRO-UI-Description.svg). For those who want to try the feel and look of Metro UI on their Windows 7 you could try Newgen.
What is working on Metro UI?
Internet Explorer has two versions for Windows 8 the Desktop Version and the Metro UI version, I think that the Metro UI version is optimized for tablet PC’s even the buttons and the size of its navigation is very ideal for Tablet PC and Laptops. Store the store app is still under constructions. Socialite this app is optimized for Facebook interactions and feeds. News it’s a little buggy with feeds. Windows Explorer It seems that this is just a shortcut to the desktop Windows Explorer.
Control Panel This opens the Metro UI Control Panel first and you can access some of the settings there, however choosing more settings sends you to the traditional Control Panel of Windows OS.
Weather App seems to be working however location is a bit blurry as of the moment, so you might get weather update for a different location.
Tweet@rama this application seemed to be stable and fun to use.
Note: Some of the other applications are not as essential as those mentioned above and some are not yet working.
Gestures:
Metro UI is equipped with gesture settings which are quite useful using on tablet mode. Here are some of the key gestures:
1. Swiping the upper left corner lets you switch between applications.
2. Swiping the middle corner shows screen preview of the different open applications.
3. Swiping the right side of the screen shows some of the essential functions of windows such as Search, Share, Start, Devices and Settings. (You should take note of this because it is under this Settings that you will find how to shut down or reboot your PC or tablet)
Note: All installed applications will be accessible on the Metro UI tab.
Enlarged Keyboard: The enlarged keyboard design is very convenient to use and it seems that the new keyboard intelligently moves around so as not to cover the part where you are typing. The new keyboard is equipped with new layouts the full, split and the write pad (however the split seemed to be a little small to use for thumb keyboard.
Performance:
1. Power: The new Hibernation is quite handy with my tablet and turning the device on from hibernation seems to be faster than the previous Microsoft OS.
2. Animation: Even with switching from one application to another seems to be faster and the animation is quite remarkable and fast. Thanks to Joanna Stern for this post
Tested ShortCuts
Here are the other shortcuts we’ve tested so far:
- The Start button takes you to Start Screen and lets you toggle between open apps
- Alt-Tab cycles through apps in sequence, as usual
- Arrow keys allow you to move through the Start screen
- Windows + C brings up the Charm menu, as does hovering over the lower-left hand corner of the screen
- Windows + F brings up the Search screen, though simply typing (when on the Start screen) is more convenient
- Windows + Z in a fullscreen app brings up the contextual menus
- Windows + D takes you to the desktop
- Windows + L locks the PC, invoking the lock screen
- Windows + P pulls up multi-monitor settings
- Windows + I brings up the Settings charm
- Windows + E invokes Windows Explorer, as ever
- Windows + R brings up the Run prompt
- Windows + Y makes all your open windows (and the Metro UI) transparent, so you can see the desktop beneath
- Windows + X shows Windows Mobility Center, which appears to serve much the same role as the Settings charm but on the desktop instead
- The Scroll wheel pans across Start screen, slowly
- Right-click brings up contextual menus in a full screen app
- Right-click on the Start screen brings up options to unpin, resize and uninstall apps
- Ctrl-Alt-Delete summons a screen with options to shut down, switch users, log off or quickly open the Task Manager
Windows 8 Hot Tips: (MTP Device did not start) While this might not have been a problem for some other laptops using Windows 8 this problem has occurred on my Ipod Touch it seems that when the system is running their would be instance that the mtp wouldn’t start for ipod touch devices, after a couple of trial and error it seems that you have to plug the touch before the OS boots up so that it can start the mtp for itouch.
It all so seems that jailbreaking applications crashes with Windows 8. So I suggest you don’t use the OS for patching firmwares and Upgrading Devices at this stage.
Overall Use:
After working with windows 8 for the tablet use I could say its quite remarkable and the speed of the OS seemed to be consistent in opening and closing applications. Bluetooth devices such as headsets are working properly with Windows 8. The OS seems to be optimized for tablet and for my Acer 1825PTZ it been a hell of an experience, I will still try this OS for the next couple of weeks and probably update this page by then.