However, my point was that the Surface was supposed to be the best of both worlds (tablet and laptop) when it's actually the worst of both worlds.
e.g. you want to use it as a laptop, you have to have it on a flat table, you can't use it like that on your lap, or on an uneven surface like in bed (sometimes I might get a call in the middle of the night, it's easier to pick up the laptop and work from the bed).
If you want to use it as a tablet, you then have the problem of interacting with the desktop, some settings are still in the old control panel, others are in a metro style interface. Trying to use desktop style apps with the touchscreen is frustrating.
Microsoft should have promoted the idea that apps should have a desktop mode (optimised for keyboard and mouse) and a metro mode (optimised for touch). Have apps display in Metro mode when out and about, but have the ability to switch to desktop mode if you dock the device.
Those who are using the device as a tablet should never have to interact with the desktop, but sometimes at the weirdest moment you try and change a setting and up pops a desktop app.
We also know how frustrating it is the other way round too. If you're using Windows 8.1 on a computer, it can be very annoying if a Metro app pops up and takes over the screen.
It's Adobe that dropped support for Flash on Android.
In the end it's a good thing. It's a massive battery drain and if both iOS and Android don't support it then there"s less use of it for needless purposes.
The Nexus 7 is a great tablet, but if you're talking about a full size iPad you should compare to the Nexus 10.
In the UK there's also the Tesco Hudl which is another Android tablet which has managed to combine cheap with reasonably capable. It's close enough to stock Android (it has a few Tesco customisations) that I was pleasantly surprised by it and are happy recommending it to those who would even consider the Nexus 7 too expensive. I prefer it to the Kindle Fire devices.
You're right about the bulkiness of the Surface. The one we have in the office looks like a floor tile when the keyboard cover is closed.
I'd avoid any of these compromise tablets like the surface. I've used them (at work) an they really combine all the disadvantages of a tablet with the disadvantages of a laptop, they're the worst of both worlds.
For example, you can't use the keyboard cover of the surface unless it's on a flat surface. Personally I often use my laptop in bed, which needs a solid keyboard.
The surface has a mix of Metro and desktop UI, I ended up getting frustrated when trying to manipulate the desktop UI I ended up plugging in a mouse.
Some of the control panel items are in Metro, others are Windows Classic.
Microsoft have not shown a good history in updating their consumer devices, for example most Windows Phone 7 devices could not be updated to WP 8.
So you're saying Apple are not allowed to improve their connectors? They had the 30 pin adaptor for at least 8 years before replacing it for something better. No other manufacturer has used the same connector for that long.
Combine the two, and no one I know with an iDevice bothers with Apple Maps for navigation, they stick with the Google Maps app. It's still better.
If there was no Apple Maps then there'd be no fully featured Google Maps on iOS.
Prior to Apple Maps being launched Google Maps on iOS didn't feature turn by turn navigation or a bunch of other features.
When Apple Maps was released Google then released a fully featured maps product on iOS.
So there was a few months of pain, but in the end we were better off on iOS as Apple releasing their own maps forced Google to implement the maps features they were keeping for Android.
That said, in the UK I actually prefer Apple maps now. One thing I hated about Apple Maps in iOS 6 was they coloured all the UK roads incorrectly (UK maps have traditionally used certain colours to represent certain types of roads, and Google Maps used to respect this), now the new Google Maps colours the roads incorrectly and Apple Maps iOS7 uses the correct colours (blue for motorway, green for primary route, etc).
Doesn't mean it's any good. Windows is still the biggest selling OS and I'm sure mcdonalds doesn't make the best hamburgers.
I've used iPads, the popular Android tablet and the Kindle series and I think the kindle offers a poor experience.
If someone in the UK asked me to recommend a cheap tablet I'd recommend Tesco's Hudl (not sure if it's available elsewhere under a different name). Best midrange device is a Nexus 7. Above that I still think the iPad is the best but the gap with the Nexus is small and mostly personal preference.
Reading posts like this remind me why I'm glad I collect miles (aka Avios) with British Airways rather than Lufthansa (M&M = Lufthansa Miles and More). As a BA Gold I can change my miles bookings free of charge up until 24 hours before my flight.
I'm currently in Prague at the moment, decided I want to get a later flight back tomorrow so logged in and switched my booking.
There's a reason why those who are not fans of Lufthansa call their scheme Miles and Less. It's one of the least generous schemes out there.
If this is like the Kindle Fire I'd suggest people stick with Roku:
- The Kindle Fire has stuck a worse UI over Android than even Samsung managed with Touchwiz - As Amazon wants you to use their store over Google Play it also means you lose out on Google Maps, Chrome, etc - It's the only tablet I know where you need to pay to remove ads from the lock screen.
- Regular Android tablets and the iPad already have access to Amazon content, so there's no reason to buy a device that makes it difficult to get content anywhere else.
As long as your not viewing this through the beta site, posts like these remind me of the early days of Slashdot.
CmdrTaco was a big fan of Enlightenment when/. was first launched and he had written some software for it so we always used to receive updates about new releases. I think that's how I first heard about Slashdot as I was searching for info on Enlightenment and found the site. I had a friend who was a big fan of Enlightenment but I ended up going with WindowMaker because I thought it was more efficient and fitted my working pattern better.
I also remember when Slashdot let you just type in a name, rather than registering ('Anonymous Coward' still existed but only if you didn't bother to enter something in the name box), once registration was introduced it took me a while to decide whether I really wanted to register, otherwise I'd have had a 3 digit UID.
It's ok, the UK transport network has already been enhanced in such a way that escape is impossible. In other words, delays and congestion are commonplace. Plus trains are too expensive if you don't book weeks in advance.
Now we know why the UK doesn't have cheap turn up and go long distance rail fares - it's to stop criminals escaping! I feel better now;)
Yes, I'm on giffgaff and have turned off all restrictions. It's mostly to do with Camoron wanting all UK ISPs to 'think of the children' and opt out of censorship.
If our Prime Minister gets what he wants it's going to be an awkward time for people who host a lot of different types of website. Many that allow users to submit their own content such as forums may be blocked too, perhaps even slashdot.
That said, if the blocks are too tight then most people will opt out, but this censorship needs to be nipped in the bud before it gets too out of control. At the beginning it's marketed as a way of keeping children safe from porn and other possible controversial content, but when the infrastructure is in place it'll be easy to block anything the government doesn't want.
No, although Sky already tried to sue them for that! They failed on that count.
I think the decision is fair in the UK. Most people wouldn't think Skype had anything to do with Sky, but Sky Drive does sound like a product Sky might release to its broadband customers.
They've branched out from Sky Broadband and offered other internet services under the Sky brand before. One failed attempt was Sky Songs, I thought Sky Tunes would have sounded better but perhaps they were advised not to.
In the UK it's a fact that people associate the Sky brand with BSkyB particularly in the entertainment and broadband industries. Sky was well known in the UK before most people owned computers.
Netscape did that themselves. Do you remember how crappy it was and how Netscape tried to include their proprietary tags in HTML? Do you remember those flashy marquee scrolling texts?? Netscape was shit. IE was good. Opera played by the rules and was the most fantastic browser, but it was shareware well into the year 2004.
Marquee was an IE tag, although Netscape were to blame for blink!
Note this bit in the same Reg article: All three issues also affect native iOS web applications that uses Apple's UIWebView API – i.e., native applications that tap the web in a big way.
So it's saying apps available through the app store are also affected if they use the built in HTML renderer. Doesn't this show that it wasn't an intentional way to make apps look better, otherwise apps would have access to the new faster engine too,
What? You can't install "web apps" on your home screen. Except for shortcuts that launch Safari
Yes, that's what we're talking about. Shortcuts that launch Safari.
which would run with the newer, faster engine.
Ah... well, you'd certainly think so. Except that the whole point of this article appears to be that that assumption is, in fact, incorrect.
If it's a shortcut on your homescreen then safari will open and the app will run at normal speed using the 4.3 Javascript engine.
If there's a special meta tag it will open full screen like a separate app, this is currently using the old 4.2 Javascript engine.
So basically - webapps with the meta tag will currently run the same speed as they did before the iOS upgrade, whereas web pages can use the new faster Javascript engine.
We'll see as time progresses whether this is intentional or not, but the fact is nothing is being slowed down it's just using a different javascript engine.
>Why would it be about 30%, most web apps are free and 30% of zero is zero. Apple allow free apps in their store.
Not anymore if it involves any money exchanged between the user and the app provider. Now Apple is forcing (users of) subscription services like Amazon and Netflix to pay up 30%. ( an extra 43% to the user). It's curtains from June.
Slashdot Mirror
No prepaid plans in the UK come with unlimited texting.
Almost all the plans on giffgaff.com include unlimited texting. Those from £12/month include unlimited data too.
No. AOL bought Netscape after they decided to open source their browser
What do you think of Slashdot beta?
How do you type on an ipad in bed?
Using the on-screen keyboard!
However, my point was that the Surface was supposed to be the best of both worlds (tablet and laptop) when it's actually the worst of both worlds.
e.g. you want to use it as a laptop, you have to have it on a flat table, you can't use it like that on your lap, or on an uneven surface like in bed (sometimes I might get a call in the middle of the night, it's easier to pick up the laptop and work from the bed).
If you want to use it as a tablet, you then have the problem of interacting with the desktop, some settings are still in the old control panel, others are in a metro style interface. Trying to use desktop style apps with the touchscreen is frustrating.
Microsoft should have promoted the idea that apps should have a desktop mode (optimised for keyboard and mouse) and a metro mode (optimised for touch). Have apps display in Metro mode when out and about, but have the ability to switch to desktop mode if you dock the device.
Those who are using the device as a tablet should never have to interact with the desktop, but sometimes at the weirdest moment you try and change a setting and up pops a desktop app.
We also know how frustrating it is the other way round too. If you're using Windows 8.1 on a computer, it can be very annoying if a Metro app pops up and takes over the screen.
It's Adobe that dropped support for Flash on Android.
In the end it's a good thing. It's a massive battery drain and if both iOS and Android don't support it then there"s less use of it for needless purposes.
The Nexus 7 is a great tablet, but if you're talking about a full size iPad you should compare to the Nexus 10.
In the UK there's also the Tesco Hudl which is another Android tablet which has managed to combine cheap with reasonably capable. It's close enough to stock Android (it has a few Tesco customisations) that I was pleasantly surprised by it and are happy recommending it to those who would even consider the Nexus 7 too expensive. I prefer it to the Kindle Fire devices.
You're right about the bulkiness of the Surface. The one we have in the office looks like a floor tile when the keyboard cover is closed.
I'd avoid any of these compromise tablets like the surface. I've used them (at work) an they really combine all the disadvantages of a tablet with the disadvantages of a laptop, they're the worst of both worlds.
For example, you can't use the keyboard cover of the surface unless it's on a flat surface. Personally I often use my laptop in bed, which needs a solid keyboard.
The surface has a mix of Metro and desktop UI, I ended up getting frustrated when trying to manipulate the desktop UI I ended up plugging in a mouse.
Some of the control panel items are in Metro, others are Windows Classic.
Microsoft have not shown a good history in updating their consumer devices, for example most Windows Phone 7 devices could not be updated to WP 8.
So you're saying Apple are not allowed to improve their connectors? They had the 30 pin adaptor for at least 8 years before replacing it for something better. No other manufacturer has used the same connector for that long.
Combine the two, and no one I know with an iDevice bothers with Apple Maps for navigation, they stick with the Google Maps app. It's still better.
If there was no Apple Maps then there'd be no fully featured Google Maps on iOS.
Prior to Apple Maps being launched Google Maps on iOS didn't feature turn by turn navigation or a bunch of other features.
When Apple Maps was released Google then released a fully featured maps product on iOS.
So there was a few months of pain, but in the end we were better off on iOS as Apple releasing their own maps forced Google to implement the maps features they were keeping for Android.
That said, in the UK I actually prefer Apple maps now. One thing I hated about Apple Maps in iOS 6 was they coloured all the UK roads incorrectly (UK maps have traditionally used certain colours to represent certain types of roads, and Google Maps used to respect this), now the new Google Maps colours the roads incorrectly and Apple Maps iOS7 uses the correct colours (blue for motorway, green for primary route, etc).
Doesn't mean it's any good. Windows is still the biggest selling OS and I'm sure mcdonalds doesn't make the best hamburgers.
I've used iPads, the popular Android tablet and the Kindle series and I think the kindle offers a poor experience.
If someone in the UK asked me to recommend a cheap tablet I'd recommend Tesco's Hudl (not sure if it's available elsewhere under a different name). Best midrange device is a Nexus 7. Above that I still think the iPad is the best but the gap with the Nexus is small and mostly personal preference.
Reading posts like this remind me why I'm glad I collect miles (aka Avios) with British Airways rather than Lufthansa (M&M = Lufthansa Miles and More). As a BA Gold I can change my miles bookings free of charge up until 24 hours before my flight.
I'm currently in Prague at the moment, decided I want to get a later flight back tomorrow so logged in and switched my booking.
There's a reason why those who are not fans of Lufthansa call their scheme Miles and Less. It's one of the least generous schemes out there.
If this is like the Kindle Fire I'd suggest people stick with Roku:
- The Kindle Fire has stuck a worse UI over Android than even Samsung managed with Touchwiz
- As Amazon wants you to use their store over Google Play it also means you lose out on Google Maps, Chrome, etc
- It's the only tablet I know where you need to pay to remove ads from the lock screen.
- Regular Android tablets and the iPad already have access to Amazon content, so there's no reason to buy a device that makes it difficult to get content anywhere else.
I can't see a Kindle TV box being any better.
As long as your not viewing this through the beta site, posts like these remind me of the early days of Slashdot.
CmdrTaco was a big fan of Enlightenment when /. was first launched and he had written some software for it so we always used to receive updates about new releases. I think that's how I first heard about Slashdot as I was searching for info on Enlightenment and found the site. I had a friend who was a big fan of Enlightenment but I ended up going with WindowMaker because I thought it was more efficient and fitted my working pattern better.
I also remember when Slashdot let you just type in a name, rather than registering ('Anonymous Coward' still existed but only if you didn't bother to enter something in the name box), once registration was introduced it took me a while to decide whether I really wanted to register, otherwise I'd have had a 3 digit UID.
The summary must be wrong because Google glass has a 30-minute battery life while shooting video.
Don't most NY cops only have a 30 minute working time followed by a 2 hour donut break. They can use that time to charge the batteries.
and this site design still runs horribly on this phone despite it being the latest designer phone!
Everything runs badly on a Windows Phone®
Yes. Yes it is a bad idea. Yet orders of magnitude better than Beta.
Fuck Beta.
Fuck Beta?
I've tried fuckbeta.slashdot.org - I recommend that as the starting point on /., makes the logs send a message.
It's ok, the UK transport network has already been enhanced in such a way that escape is impossible. In other words, delays and congestion are commonplace. Plus trains are too expensive if you don't book weeks in advance.
Now we know why the UK doesn't have cheap turn up and go long distance rail fares - it's to stop criminals escaping! I feel better now ;)
Yes, I'm on giffgaff and have turned off all restrictions. It's mostly to do with Camoron wanting all UK ISPs to 'think of the children' and opt out of censorship.
If our Prime Minister gets what he wants it's going to be an awkward time for people who host a lot of different types of website. Many that allow users to submit their own content such as forums may be blocked too, perhaps even slashdot.
That said, if the blocks are too tight then most people will opt out, but this censorship needs to be nipped in the bud before it gets too out of control. At the beginning it's marketed as a way of keeping children safe from porn and other possible controversial content, but when the infrastructure is in place it'll be easy to block anything the government doesn't want.
No, although Sky already tried to sue them for that! They failed on that count.
I think the decision is fair in the UK. Most people wouldn't think Skype had anything to do with Sky, but Sky Drive does sound like a product Sky might release to its broadband customers.
They've branched out from Sky Broadband and offered other internet services under the Sky brand before. One failed attempt was Sky Songs, I thought Sky Tunes would have sounded better but perhaps they were advised not to.
In the UK it's a fact that people associate the Sky brand with BSkyB particularly in the entertainment and broadband industries. Sky was well known in the UK before most people owned computers.
I hope you knew BSkyB own "The Cloud" too :)
http://www.thecloud.net/
"cut off Netscape's air supply".
Netscape did that themselves. Do you remember how crappy it was and how Netscape tried to include their proprietary tags in HTML? Do you remember those flashy marquee scrolling texts?? Netscape was shit. IE was good. Opera played by the rules and was the most fantastic browser, but it was shareware well into the year 2004.
Marquee was an IE tag, although Netscape were to blame for blink!
As all Macs have been Intel based since 2005 why not install Windows 7 on your 2008 MacBook. You can replace macosx or dual boot using Boot Camp.
Note this bit in the same Reg article:
All three issues also affect native iOS web applications that uses Apple's UIWebView API – i.e., native applications that tap the web in a big way.
So it's saying apps available through the app store are also affected if they use the built in HTML renderer. Doesn't this show that it wasn't an intentional way to make apps look better, otherwise apps would have access to the new faster engine too,
The Reg is just trolling for pageviews.
What? You can't install "web apps" on your home screen. Except for shortcuts that launch Safari
Yes, that's what we're talking about. Shortcuts that launch Safari.
which would run with the newer, faster engine.
Ah... well, you'd certainly think so. Except that the whole point of this article appears to be that that assumption is, in fact, incorrect.
If it's a shortcut on your homescreen then safari will open and the app will run at normal speed using the 4.3 Javascript engine.
If there's a special meta tag it will open full screen like a separate app, this is currently using the old 4.2 Javascript engine.
So basically - webapps with the meta tag will currently run the same speed as they did before the iOS upgrade, whereas web pages can use the new faster Javascript engine.
We'll see as time progresses whether this is intentional or not, but the fact is nothing is being slowed down it's just using a different javascript engine.
>Why would it be about 30%, most web apps are free and 30% of zero is zero. Apple allow free apps in their store.
Not anymore if it involves any money exchanged between the user and the app provider. Now Apple is forcing (users of) subscription services like Amazon and Netflix to pay up 30%. ( an extra 43% to the user). It's curtains from June.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/19/AR2011021902399.html
Free app Readability already got banned for this.
http://blog.readability.com/2011/02/an-open-letter-to-apple/
Free Sony e-reader app banned:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/fasterforward/2011/02/apple_bans_sony_e-reader_app_a.html
We're not talking about these apps which were native apps and not web apps.
I'm just saying that most webapps are free and so it doesn't affect apples profits whether they're distributed as webapps or through the app store.
Remember, when the iPhone was launched web apps were the only way to get your app on the phone. The app store came later.