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Microsoft Releases Windows 10 Preview For Phones

Posted by Soulskill on from the good-news-for-all-six-people-who-bought-lumias dept.

An anonymous reader writes: Microsoft has launched Windows 10 preview for phones. To get started, you'll need to download the Windows Insider app from the Windows Phone Store. Microsoft has already released multiple new Windows 10 preview builds, but those were limited to just PCs. The new preview for smartphones comes with a slew of new features. Until now, the Windows Insider app only worked for Microsoft employees. Now, users who are part of the Insider program can install the first Windows 10 preview build, as long as they have one of the six compatible devices. The Windows 10 preview works on the Lumia 630, Lumia 635, Lumia 636, Lumia 638, Lumia 730, and Lumia 830.

85 comments

  1. I want by rossdee · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I want my next desktop xomputer to have an OS designed for desktops, not phones

    I am happy with Android on my phone

    1. Re:I want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      It is fortunate that Torvalds had the foresight to design an OS specifically for smartphones in 1991.

      If only there were some way to adapt the frontend of a mature OS so it worked on different devices :'(.

    2. Re:I want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      MVC is considered obsolete. It has been replaced by QVC.

    3. Re:I want by binarylarry · · Score: 1

      Must be friday, eh?

      --
      Mod me down, my New Earth Global Warmingist friends!
    4. Re:I want by cyber-vandal · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Not a troll but a genuine question - what's stunted about ASP.NET MVC?

    5. Re:I want by CastrTroy · · Score: 1

      I for one am very much not happy with Android on my Phone. My current Android Phone is only running version 2.3 even though I bought it 6 months before Android 4 came out. The lack of upgrades on Android is appalling. I'm due for a new phone in the next month (yay 3 year contracts!) and I'm seriously considering just getting a cheap phone or waiting it out to see what happens with Windows 10. The only Android Phone in my price range that I like is the Moto G, which currently doesn't have the update to Android 5 in Canada where I live, and although they say it is coming, they seem to be taking their slow old time with it. Meanwhile Android continues to do stupid things, like removing the functionality to move apps to the SD card. Apparently that's back in Android 5, but like I said, it's hard to be certain that phones will even be upgraded. Windows Phone (at least since 8+) seems to have a much better track record with updates, and doesn't impose stupid restrictions about where apps can be installed. I've bought a few apps and I'm used to the way that Android works, so I really don't want to abandon it, but the lack of updates seriously makes me want to avoid them in the future.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    6. Re:I want by Windowser · · Score: 1

      I've bought a few apps and I'm used to the way that Android works, so I really don't want to abandon it, but the lack of updates seriously makes me want to avoid them in the future.

      Just buy a Nexus phone then

      --
      Avoid the MS tax, always buy I.B.M. PC's (I Built-it Myself)
    7. Re:I want by CastrTroy · · Score: 1

      So my only choices are to have a 6 inch phone, which is basically a tablet, or to go with the older model Nexus 5, which is still quite large, and doesn't even have an SD Card slot? The specs are decent for the price, but the phone is still a little high end for me. I like to be able to take my phone hiking or on a bike ride, and I don't quite see the appeal with carrying a $350 computing device while doing those activities. Getting updates shouldn't be a status symbol. It should be available to all Android phones.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    8. Re:I want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Here's my rule on phones now:
      Only unlocked, non-carrier tied.
      No contracts - prepaid only.
      That's it. I got my current phone (2013 Moto X) right as the new one came out a couple of months ago - $200, no carrier bloatware. Motorola has a decent track record of updates, though I have to say I'd be hesitant to go to Lollypop since 4.4.4 on this phone seems to work really well. I really like it; I imagine the Moto G is similar. In the US I can use any of the AT&T or T-Mobile prepaid resellers - currently with Cricket.
      I actually tried a Windows phone when I moved to Cricket - Lumia 630 (free after rebate which they are now screwing me on, so really $50). The OS surprised me, I actually liked it, and the hardware is good for what's basically a burner. There were way too many apps that I like which were either subpar or not available, though; there's a real long-tail problem there because if I can't use all the apps I want there's no reason to move from Android. And like I say, this Moto X is pretty sweet.

    9. Re:I want by benjymouse · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Not a troll but a genuine question - what's stunted about ASP.NET MVC?

      ASP.NET MVC along with the other "web MVC" have really little to do with the real MVC as in the original smalltalk MVC described by Trygve Reenskaugs MVC. Web MVCs are bastardizations of the original concept, often only riding the name for recognition. I blame Struts and RoR for starting this trend.

      I believe grand parent was referring to the original MVC which was a way to design interactive, event-driven GUIs. The original MVC was a recursive concept: The view could itself be a "tool" that in turn followed the MVC pattern. See http://heim.ifi.uio.no/~trygve...

      As far as "web MVCs" goes, ASP.NET MVC is a really good one. But real MVC it is not. But that's a lost cause. An entire generation of developers have grown up believing that RoR and Struts were examples of MVC. In actuality, the designers og Struts and RoR grossly misunderstood the concept.

      --
      Reading slashdot one-liner: (irm http://rss.slashdot.org/Slashdot/slashdot).rdf.item | fl title,desc*
    10. Re:I want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Then change your rom. You're supposed to be a geek.

    11. Re:I want by TheCastro1689 · · Score: 1

      I didn't like the android OS after dropping iOS. I decided hey, I used a windows phone for a couple of weeks, lets get one again. I like it alot, sure it's missing some apps, but not having them hasn't bothered me at all. But I'm an adaptive person.

    12. Re:I want by tehlinux · · Score: 1

      So stick with your android phone.

      --
      Most linux users don't know this, but the man pages were named after Chuck Norris. Chuck Norris fsck'ing hates noobs!
    13. Re:I want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I for one am very much not happy with Android on my Phone. My current Android Phone is only running version 2.3 even though I bought it 6 months before Android 4 came out.

      Personally I wouldn't buy any Android without cyanogenmod support for many reasons including the issue of instantaneous obsolescence by vendor/carrier.

      The only Android Phone in my price range that I like is the Moto G, which currently doesn't have the update to Android 5 in Canada where I live

      Phone hardware is starting to plateau. By buying older vs. latest models you can probably score a better/faster device and still pay less.

      Meanwhile Android continues to do stupid things, like removing the functionality to move apps to the SD card.

      Another reason why cyanogenmod is a nice option is not having to put up with vendor/carrier software restrictions and bullshit.

      If you think restrictions on where you can install apps is bad consider high end Lumia models don't have SD slots or replaceable batteries.

      Phone (at least since 8+) seems to have a much better track record with updates, and doesn't impose stupid restrictions about where apps can be installed.

      Windows phone is the most restrictive. You must install apps from the windows app store. There is no sideloading and no using device features such as GPS without mandatory requirement to upload your position to Microsoft servers. You can't do jack shit without a Microsoft account and everything including all of your contacts are required to be uploaded to Microsoft... there is no local contact database on the device and no opportunity to customize the interface. No terminal or application security and firewalling options... just a locked down pile of panopticon goodness lacking basic features included standard with other platforms for years.

      so I really don't want to abandon it, but the lack of updates seriously makes me want to avoid them in the future.

      Look into Cyanogenmod.

    14. Re:I want by Rob+Y. · · Score: 0

      Windows phones since 8+. So you mean a single point release from 8.0 to 8.1? That's a track record? And that following on the heels of the 7.5-7.8 dead end?

      --
      Posted from my Android phone. Oh, I can change this? There, that's better...
    15. Re:I want by Rob+Y. · · Score: 1

      And you think a sub $350 Lumia is going to be upgraded to Windows 10? Today's Moto G stands a much better chance of future upgrades than whatever cheap Windows phones are out there today. And if Moto doesn't do it, there's always Cyanogen...

      --
      Posted from my Android phone. Oh, I can change this? There, that's better...
    16. Re:I want by CastrTroy · · Score: 1

      Which is why I said I will probably end up getting something really cheap or try to make my current phone last until we see what happens with Windows 10. If Windows 10 turns out to be a huge flop, I can still get an Android phone. If Windows 10 turns out to be great, I'll get a Windows 10 phone.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
  2. who cares? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    pfff

  3. Where's the crossover? by tepples · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Which raises the question of the dividing line between devices for which a phone-style UI is best and devices for which a desktop-style UI is best. Should a battery-powered computer with a 10 inch screen and a detachable keyboard, such as the Transformer Book or the Nextbook, have a "desktop" or "phone" user interface?

    1. Re:Where's the crossover? by Blaskowicz · · Score: 2

      It should have a command line.
      Note that on desktop we've had a dual interface since the days of Windows 3.0 : desktop interface and command line interface. Web could be a third, or it's just a subset of the desktop interface (ignoring lynx, elinks etc. which are only useful in specific context)

      There could be a Metro/Android/Ubuntu/whatever interface, but one special "app" just gives you the command prompt (and it always works, has the unix-like programs and can access the multimedia, off-line documents files etc. if it's sandboxed from the other apps)

    2. Re:Where's the crossover? by ITRambo · · Score: 1

      When you pull the tablet from the keyboard the OS reverts to the touch screen UI. When the keyboard is connected, or on conventional computers, the desktop UI is presented. This is how Windows 8 should have functioned had Microsoft not blow off our early feedback and told us to "live with it". It took 3 years for Microsoft to undo the mess that Windows 8 was, with the latest preview of Windows 10. Hopefully, as more builds are released they'll continue to make Windows 10 more user friendly, something that we actually want to use...

    3. Re:Where's the crossover? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I've got an HP Touchsmart - All in One - with touchscreen so why in hell can't I have both? I actually use both modes (touch when I'm showing someone how to do something) and the keyboard mouse when I'm using it myself. I also have one of those transformers (Nextbook 10.1) that I mainly use as a tablet but sometimes do use the keyboard.

      As usual, MS has screwed up and is trying to force one method on people and kill an entire segment of computing that's already here.

    4. Re:Where's the crossover? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The whole point of a Transformer Book is that it transforms. Have the OS detect whether the keyboard dock is plugged in or not. Heck, make the keyboard dock a special HID class or something, and have presence/lack-thereof of that special HID class device determine the default UI. Then let people override it in a settings panel if they really want to go against the default, with rule-based groups of settings like the power manager has.

    5. Re:Where's the crossover? by Smauler · · Score: 1

      God forbid letting users actually decide when to switch user interfaces, it must be done automagically.

    6. Re:Where's the crossover? by dimeglio · · Score: 1

      Depends on use case. Arguably, phones are given simpler UIs allowing quick access to services you might need while on-the-move. The bigger the format, the less you're likely to use while moving. Therefore, there is less of a need for simpler UIs.

      --
      Views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the author.
    7. Re:Where's the crossover? by mlts · · Score: 1

      IMHO, it falls on what the device's role is going to be. For example, a Surface Pro, even though technically a tablet, can do a full desktop role if plugged into a port replicator.

      Some Motorola phones also fell into that category as well. The Atrix and Atrix 2 offered a Linux distribution and basic desktop functionality, although it required a special docking station to do this.

      I'd probably say the definite answer would be to have the device have a hypervisor. If one is using it as a phone, a VM with a phone OS would be used. If it is used with an external monitor and keyboard, it would run a desktop OS, and be able to do both at the same time if need be.

      Of course, a hypervisor gives some added benefits, be it the ability to deduplicate, encrypt VMs, back an entire VM up as a gestalt (makes installing a new ROM quite easy), and if needed, run an offline AV program to check for malware and remove it.

    8. Re: Where's the crossover? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Except the Win 10 "desktop" interface is substantially like Win 8's ... a touch interface.

      Microsoft has screwed us with these new interfaces: Metro / Win 8 / Office 2010.

      They're alienating their traditional user base because of their panicked fear of losing market share to Apple / Android. Ironically, they're pushing users onto those platforms by force-feeding new and difficult to use GUI's.

    9. Re:Where's the crossover? by datavirtue · · Score: 1

      DOH! Have a Lumia 920...was excited...thought I saw a squirrel.

      --
      I object to power without constructive purpose. --Spock
  4. It bricked my phone. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    Loaded it up and got the Blue Screen of Death. Turned it off and now it won't even try to boot anymore. Thanks a lot Microsoft!

    1. Re:It bricked my phone. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Which kind of phone was it (assuming you're not a troll or a shill)?

    2. Re: It bricked my phone. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wow. Three windows phone users with bricked phones, on Slashdot, within 13 minutes if each other!

      This more serious than I thought!

    3. Re: It bricked my phone. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah, better warn the last remaining user of Windows Phone, or there won't be any users left.

    4. Re:It bricked my phone. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Which kind of phone was it (assuming you're not a troll or a shill)?

      Multiple unspecific AC posts few minutes apart claiming they have a phone OS that in most Slashdot discussions nobody here is using or know anybody using..

    5. Re: It bricked my phone. by bloodhawk · · Score: 1

      perhaps people would believe you if you weren't the same AC just responding to himself over and over, very sad and very transparent trolling.

    6. Re:It bricked my phone. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      because responding to yourself over and over is so obvious even the /. community can see through the anti MS fog to identify it.

    7. Re: It bricked my phone. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      responding to myself. Sorry all for the trolling. I have a lot of personal problems, a lot of strain between myself and my parents since I came out a few weeks ago.

  5. As a Windows Phone user by FxEffects · · Score: 2

    I find it interesting that Microsoft has chosen to use the lower tier Lumia line for the launch of their Insider app for Windows Phones. They have left out their power user base completely. I own a Lumia 928 which certainly has better hardware than all the phones currently available to use the Insider program. Lets hope Microsoft can expand its program quickly before users start to feel alienated.

    1. Re:As a Windows Phone user by Kultiras · · Score: 5, Informative
      They didn't make the choice to exclude anybody, there is a technical limitation. The reason this first release is only compatible with those six devices is because they are the only six on the market with system partitions large enough to handle the in-place upgrade process. The higher-end devices have less free space on the system partition. They have a solution for this problem, but it is not ready for deployment yet.

      Some context on why we chose these and not higher end phones like the 930/Icon or 1520: We have a feature that will be coming soon called “partition stitching” which will allow us to adjust the OS partition dynamically to create room for the install process to be able to update the OS in-place. Until this comes in, we needed devices which were configured by mobile operators with sufficiently sized OS partitions to allow the in-place upgrade, and many of the bigger phones have very tight OS partitions. Note that this doesn’t mean that Windows 10 will take more disk space than Windows Phone 8.1, it’s just a function of the upgrade process at this point. Once the partition stitching feature is completed, many more devices will be supported.

      Source: http://blogs.windows.com/blogg...

    2. Re:As a Windows Phone user by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Read the article. It explains why. I know, I know. NO one reads the article and just complains first. Basically it has to do with the stock firmware on the phones in the first roll out have extra room. Don't get all pissy over nothing. You'll get access to broken test firmware with issues soon enough.

    3. Re:As a Windows Phone user by wjcofkc · · Score: 1

      If I had mod points I would reward you just for admitting to being a Windows Phone user around here. But then again, so am I. My phone is on the list of phones eligible for the insider beta test, however, after doing research beyond the scope of the linked to articles, I find that the trade off in features is currently unacceptable. For example a slightly crippled Cortana among other things. Perhaps in another month. I have been on board with the Windows 10 Tech Preview since day one and the current builds not only feel finished, it has become my daily driver. I will likely get one of these: Acer Aspire R7-371T-50ZE when they come out, and of course put Windows 10 on it. I am a long time MS basher, but I like where they seem to be headed so I jumped on board.

      --
      Brought to you by Carl's Junior.
  6. a slew of new features? by drinkypoo · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    ...a slew of new features.

    New to Windows, anyway. The headline of TFA declares "Microsoft releases Windows 10 preview for phones with interactive notifications, speech-to-text, and Photos app" Yes, seriously. Three features that both Apple and Android have had for how long now? We're supposed to get excited that Microsoft is almost on the verge of kind of catching up?

    TFA goes on to say that the new release will present to WP users for the first time such groundbreaking features as "A new option to customize the start screen with a full-size background image", and increasing the number of "quick actions" from a total of four to "up to three rows" .

    I do see that they got partition resizing, that's cool. That's something that ought to go into CWM and TWRP. Probably will, eventually. Looks like it's feasible since it's been done for a specific model before, and besides we all know that there are Linux tools for partition resizing. This permits more dirty flashes on OS upgrades. Of course, those are often a Very Bad Idea(tm) so it's not really a priority feature. People with phones with SD cards and root access don't have to care much, since they can back up apps and their big downloaded data is probably already stored on SD card, and won't have to be downloaded again for most apps. (Yes, some developers incompetently fail to detect the existing content, then download it all over again...)

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    1. Re:a slew of new features? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They have been in the windows phone as well since the 7.0 series, they were actually in there before the android versions. they must be talking about some new features of those apps.

  7. I see what you did here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    marketer: What are you up to?
    engineer: We're working on Windows Phone 10.
    marketer: We're going to drop "Phone". It's just "Windows" now.
    engineer: But it's not the same OS.
    marketer: Ok we'll call it "Windows 10 for Phone".
    engineer: ...

    1. Re: I see what you did here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I own a Sony Xperia Z3. In the process of trying to access it wirelessly via my sisters del Metro UI based laptop I installed the program 'send anywhere'. It worked great except it asked me to open up a hotmail account through the Microsoft Store which I did, thinking it was a requirement of the program. I subsequently rebooted and lo and behold Microsoft change the login of her laptop to the hotmail account I had just created. The password itself was on the desktop of the laptop and I had no way to access it. She now has to do a full reinstall format and Microsoft refuses to do anything to fix it. Needless to say, I will never ever use a hotmail account for anything, ever. Windows 8 and it's shit Metro user interface included. Windows 10? You'll have to twist my arm to make me trust that crap.

    2. Re: I see what you did here by omnichad · · Score: 1

      You encrypted her files, too? Not very smart of you.

    3. Re: I see what you did here by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      She now has to do a full reinstall format and Microsoft refuses to do anything to fix it.

      Not if you reset the password, using a Linux-based tool.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    4. Re: I see what you did here by brobins8 · · Score: 2

      You converted her login to a Microsoft account and had no idea you were doing it? What the hell?

    5. Re: I see what you did here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      And couldn't remember the password used.

      -1 FAIL: Do not allow near technology.

    6. Re:I see what you did here by CastrTroy · · Score: 1

      It will support running the same "Apps" as Windows 10. This is actually a nice thing about the way Windows is headed. I can write a single app, and have it run on XBox One, Windows PCs, Windows Tablets, and Windows Phones. Sure it doesn't support legacy software, but it makes a lot more tempting to write Windows apps if they will run on so many devices with very little extra work. If they were really smart they'd adopt similar technology to what Xamarin has and allow the C#/.Net code you write to run on Android and iPhone as well.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    7. Re: I see what you did here by spire3661 · · Score: 2

      To be fair, MS DOES NOT make it clear the ramifications of switching to an MS account versus local. This is FULLY MS's fault for trying to eliminate local accounts via obfuscation and pressure.

      --
      Good-bye
    8. Re: I see what you did here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because they are deliberately tricking people into using the online account.

    9. Re:I see what you did here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Um, they released the preview of their next Visual Studio a few months ago. As one of its features, they will allow you to write and compile apps for Android, iOS and OS X in addition to all the Windows versions. They are partnering with Xamarin, and using LLVM for their respective use cases. So one Development App to rule them all. They even include a fast Android emulator in the Beta.

    10. Re: I see what you did here by Zordak · · Score: 1

      Because they are deliberately tricking people into using the online account.

      Yeah, pretty much, from what I've seen of Windows 8.

      --

      Today's Sesame Street was brought to you by the number e.
  8. We've been through this more than 10 times already by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Windows 10 preview...To get started...

      Don't get me started.

    --
    (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
  9. Price for Windows 10? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Has Microsoft given any guidance as to the price for Windows 10 yet? My feeling is that it should be low-cost (as in well under $100) in order to encourage people to upgrade. If MS takes a hit for that, I think the number of willing, paid-for upgrades will benefit them in the long run.

    One could also consider it a partial apology for the UI abortion that is Windows 8.

    1. Re:Price for Windows 10? by Kultiras · · Score: 1

      Assuming you are referring to the desktop OS, Windows 10 will be offered for free as an upgrade to Windows 7 through 8.1 for the first year after release. Windows 10 for phones will be free as well.

    2. Re:Price for Windows 10? by ChunderDownunder · · Score: 1

      Windows 10 for phones will be free as well.

      Free as in you have to buy a phone first? :)
      Or free as in you can download a disk image and deploy it to your phone's virtualization platform?

  10. It should have a choice by justthinkit · · Score: 2

    The user should have a choice. How about the first 5 times it boots up, it gives the user a choice? As well as a check box to "make this selection permanent"?

    --
    I come here for the love
  11. So So many complainers. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Slashdot has become a place to complain about Microsoft giving users one experience on desktop.

  12. Irrelevant News. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I don't know why I'm even commenting on this.

    1. Re:Irrelevant News. by roc97007 · · Score: 1

      I don't know why I'm even commenting on this.

      Yeah. Windows Phone? Wiki says it's been out for five years, and as an IT person and somewhat of a gadget nerd, I've only ever seen one (1) in the wild.

      I guess it's interesting in a train-wreck sort of way.

      --
      Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  13. Does it finally support CalDAV, CardDAV, IMAP IDLE by plazman30 · · Score: 1

    If this didn't add that support, then Google users are still left out in the cold.

  14. Try Linux by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Try Linux.

  15. UI, not kernel by tepples · · Score: 2

    Linux is a kernel. An operating system includes a user interface, and this makes up the bulk of what changes between desktop and mobile operating systems. The UI of a phone OS is more likely to have certain features related to the phone environment than a UI of an OS designed for desktop PCs. These include large, squarish controls, multitouch gestures, an on-screen keyboard by default, an "all maximized all the time" window management policy designed for 3 to 6 inch screens, technical measures to prevent users from making changes that cause the machine to interfere with other users of the same cellular carrier, and technical measures to prevent users from making changes that cause excess support calls to the cellular carrier.

  16. Cost of approval by tepples · · Score: 1

    This is actually a nice thing about the way Windows is headed. I can write a single app, and have it run on XBox One, Windows PCs, Windows Tablets, and Windows Phones.

    But how much does it cost to get an app approved for sale for Windows tablets, Windows phones, and especially Xbox One?

    1. Re:Cost of approval by CastrTroy · · Score: 1

      Well, it's only $19 for an individual to register to make Apps for Windows App store (PCs and tablets) and the Windows Phone App store. You can't yet publish Windows 10 apps on the XBox, but I can't see the price going up a lot when they do add that functionality.

      --

      Anthropic principle: We see the universe the way it is because if it were different we would not be here to see it.
    2. Re:Cost of approval by unity · · Score: 1

      Last I checked they did not charge for the approval process. And you could get a developer account for free if you agree to develop an app within 3 months or something. Otherwise the developer account was 19/year for an individual or 99/year for a company.

    3. Re:Cost of approval by tepples · · Score: 1

      Otherwise the developer account was 19/year for an individual or 99/year for a company.

      Does that cover only one of Windows Store and Windows Phone Store, both of them, or all three?

    4. Re:Cost of approval by unity · · Score: 1

      All of them, they unified the accounts a ways back.

  17. Problem with auto-switch on keyboard connection by tepples · · Score: 1

    When the keyboard is connected, or on conventional computers, the desktop UI is presented.

    That'd be fine so long as the switch happens when I press the home button. But if I have a touch app open, and I connect the keyboard to do some typing, does it make the open app disappear? Say I have touch IE open, and I encounter a <textarea> such as the one into which I am typing this comment. I grab the keyboard and connect it to enter some text into the <textarea>, but that causes a switch to the desktop subsystem, which causes the comment form to disappear. I disconnect the keyboard, and the comment form reappears, taunting me.

    Has anyone else thought this through to come up with a solution?

    1. Re:Problem with auto-switch on keyboard connection by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      In windows 10, metro apps can be contained in a window for desktop mode. Metro IE and desktop IE are now the same app, they just change the interface slightly depending on what mode it is in. So you scenarios don't happen.

    2. Re:Problem with auto-switch on keyboard connection by ormico · · Score: 1

      when switching from Tablet mode to Desktop mode "Metro" apps will go from full screen to windowed. In addition there won't be Touch IE and Desktop IE, there will just be IE which will work in Touch and Mouse/Desktop environments. The current IE in the preview is not the final one.

  18. dunno why they're doing it that way by roc97007 · · Score: 1

    With all the GUI churn Microsoft is going through lately, it really seems like it would be more practical to design a base set of services and a command line interface that changes little, and then put a separate GUI as an application on top of that. Then they could change out the GUI as CEOs come and go, without having to redesign the base. They could hide the underlying layer by disabling the ability to boot to command line, except for debug purposes.

    Oh, wait...

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  19. Put back WMC by TeddyR · · Score: 1

    Unfortunately with MS taking WMC out of WIndows 10 it is making it very difficult (ie: not possible) for many to upgrade to windows 10. This is almost as ill-thought of as the PS4 taking out DLNA or Vista UAC. I realize that the article is about the phone OS, but the path they are going with this makes it very difficult to "Trust" the MS eco-system... it would be like if Apple suddenly decided that it would no longer support AirPlay on its next OS release....

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    Time is on my side
  20. Perfect for You by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Right now, AT&T or T-Mobile have the "pay as you go" Nokia 635. I got mine for $55 at Best Buy. It's running 8.1 out of the box, so it's eligible for Windows 10 and has been included in the list of devices that will be updated.

    As an IT guy, I like nice phones as much as the next guy, but I'm not willing to spend a large outlay on a device, so I get a new Windows Phone once or twice a year at this price point. I keep relatively decent hardware and updated software for little money. Win win.

    The 635 has interchangeable backs, so you can have black (default), blue, green, yellow, orange.

  21. Understanding?? Nope by Xman73x · · Score: 0

    So how can this preview be outstanding when it's not compatible using those Apple devices I have an IPhone 6 but I can't download Wins 10 on anything including my Wins 7 Labtop!ðYðY±ðY