Slashdot Mirror
New Screenshots Detail Spartan Web Browser For Windows 10 Smartphones
MojoKid writes One of the most anticipated new features in Windows 10 is the Spartan web browser, which will replace the long-serving Internet Explorer. We've seen Spartan in action on the desktop/notebook front, but we're now getting a closer look at Spartan in action on the mobile side thanks to some newly leaked screenshots. Perhaps the biggest change with Spartan is the repositioning of the address bar from the bottom of the screen to the top (which is also in line with other mobile browsers like Safari and Chrome). The refresh button has also been moved from its right-hand position within the address bar to a new location to the left of the address bar. Reading Lists also make an appearance in this latest build of Spartan along with Microsoft's implementation of "Hubs" on Windows 10 for mobile devices.
I'm just amused that they're calling their voice recognition system Cortana and they're apparently calling their browser the Spartan.
These are both references to the game Halo. The AI assistant to the Master Chief was known as Cortana and the Master Chief was some kind of cyborg military super soldier that was referred to as a "spartian".
I can't wait for them to name something "the flood" ... I have to keep my eyes open for any further references. The whole thing is pretty funny.
I've decided to stop wasting my time responding to AC trolls/sockpuppets... so if you want a response from me... login.
So they expect to sell 300 of them then
Then post better shit. See the light green "Submit" button at the top of the page? I wonder what would happen if you clicked it?
Yeah, that's a great feature. Stupid that they're changing that.
It works perfectly fine at the bottom. Easy to reach and its not like you're missclicking it all the time.
I totally agree with this. I found the bottom bar very efficient and easy to use. It doesn't interfere with the content either.
Let's think through what you just said.
So he'll click the "Submit" button.
He'll write a good summary about some relevant topic, providing links to interesting articles and all that.
The submission will be ignored.
Some shitty submission, like this one, or maybe one about some alleged sexist/racist/misogynist/homophobic/transphobic incident, or yet another one from Hugh Pickens or Bennett Haselton, will end up on the front page instead.
Do you see what the problem is? I will explain it for you, since you probably don't.
The problem is that it doesn't matter how many good submissions there are queued up. If only shitty ones end up on the front page, then somebody submitting tens or hundreds or thousands of excellent submissions won't have any impact. There will still be shitty stories on the front page.
It's not a problem with the supply of submissions. There are an ample number of good stories to choose from.
The problem is with the selection process and criteria. Submitting more stories won't improve this in any way.
It looks like a browser. Screenshots don't really tell you anything about a web browser's performance and compatibility, which is the most important thing. OTOH, there is an unbelievable amount of wasted screen space on those screenshots, Displaying the time horizontally and off center like that is both ugly and stupid.
MSIE is still preinstalled. It's not considered their competitive browser by Microsoft. It's there more as a utility. Microsoft will 'compete' with third party browsers on a more level playing field with this new browser.
In fact Microsoft has done nearly everything possible now to level the plaing field browser-wise. You have to hate Microsoft in a pathological way to not let up on some of the old bullshit hate-billyware thing. In continuing to sputter and fury the more infected and irrational cranks will identify themselves to us.
The general fury will die down eventually until it's like it already is with BSOD references, which are only made now by angry trolls who haven't touched a Microsoft product in over a decade.
MSIE is still preinstalled. It's not considered their competitive browser by Microsoft. It's there more as a utility. Microsoft will 'compete' with third party browsers on a more level playing field with this new browser.
In fact Microsoft has done nearly everything possible now to level the plaing field browser-wise. You have to hate Microsoft in a pathological way to not let up on some of the old bullshit hate-billyware thing.
Did you ever consider that perhaps some of that hatred was well earned? That perhas a person who takes issue with Microsoft is not necessarily a hate ridden person with a burnt husk of a soul living only to bash Microsoft?
Sorry, had to reply in kind to get your attention.
Microsoft has indeed put out a lot of shit over the years. And they managed to get away with it. They were kings Some folks darn near worshipped them.
Now there are a lot of us who won't use a Microsoft product except when forced to.
Get the connection? If all you do is shower a company with undying love, they know you'll eat whatever crap they put out. So you'll get crap.
If you give them criticism, and it gets to the point that their product loses sales, then perhaps they'll respond in a positive way. This is some pretty basic stuff, working at improving a product based on customer criticism.
You figure if Vista and W8 and 8.1 didn't gut the PC market that they would have produced W7, or be working on W10 so hard?
In continuing to sputter and fury the more infected and irrational cranks will identify themselves to us.
The general fury will die down eventually until it's like it already is with BSOD references, which are only made now by angry trolls who haven't touched a Microsoft product in over a decade.
Speaking of anger issues, calm down, enjoy your phone, and realize that there are good reasons for some to dislike Windows products. Realize that a positive response to criticism can improve a product, and a negative response definitely won't. Windows haters are more responsible for making the products better than people who declare that anyone who doesn't like them are angry and stupid trolls..
The shepherds did so well protecting the flock that the sheep no longer believed that wolves existed.
If it can block ads, I'll think about switching to Windows Phone.
If it can block all of the other non-advertising bullshit that I see when I try to browse the web on my phone, I'll buy a Windows Phone tomorrow.
Seriously.
The mobile web is such an incredibly shitty experience. I used to be excited about carrying around a computer in my pocket, and I still am... if I can avoid using the web browser.
No, I don't want to install your app. No, I do not want to share this story on face book, twitter, or my space. I haven't even fucking read it yet. GTFO.
I especially don't want the top of my device's screen taken up by an element that won't disappear when I scroll down, just so I can be reminded what site I am on the entire time I read the article.
I'm waiting for a mobile browser that makes the web experience on mobile more user-friendly.
Right now the experience is crapped on by advertisers and webcrap developers that implement the latest design trend.
Maybe Spartan can bring some sanity to the picture.
I really like it when I load a site, start reading, and scroll down to continue reading, only to have the page shift around on me when the browser finally loads a video player or something at the top of the page. But my absolute favorite is when I get to a site that has dropdown menus that require a click to activate. Press, and a menu comes down, and the page refreshes (closing the dropdown menu) before I have time to read (let alone tap on) the items. Huh? Am I doing something wrong here?
Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but I miss the days when most websites looked like http://www.tldp.org
I can navigate that just fine on my phone.
Since it's unlikely that webcrap developers will all collectively pull their heads out of their asses, maybe the browser guys can help fix the problems.
Come on, Microsoft. Here's your chance to earn my business and respect.
To dislike Microsoft is fine. But, for an IT professional, to blindly ignore the largest software platform on the planet for over a decade because of hatred, is plain ignorance. Software has matured.
Just one modern web picture (downloaded full size and scaled down on the page) will take up more memory than a hosts file.