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Windows 8 designed to work in Portrait mode on tablets too
We’ve been covering Windows 8 here at AllTouchTablet for the past couple of months since we’ve heard Microsoft talk about it. For all accounts next year we could see another player in the tablet market besides iOS and Android, and that could be Microsoft’s 8th reincarnation of Windows.
Microsoft cleverly designed a friendly touch interface from the ground up, but also kept the highly acclaimed desktop experience everyone enjoys (I’m not kidding, people WANT the Windows desktop to be present in Windows 8, including myself).
One question arises that no one has talked about yet: how will Windows 8 handle portrait orientation? Personally I use all my tablets mainly in landscape mode, except when I’m reading books, so basically I’m not using portrait mode at all :) But rest assured that Windows 8 will work just fine in portrait mode (read this detailed blog post from Microsoft).
Windows 8 will work in portrait and landscape modes
All native apps will work flawlessly in Portrait and Landscape mode, plus Microsoft puts a lot of effort into convincing developers to code apps keeping in mind they might be used in portrait mode too. There are quite a few API function like text reflow which should make developer’s work easier. Screen rotation will be handled much quicker and an orientation lock function will be available, but Microsoft calls it “gravitation override”. So geeky!
All major screen aspects are supported in Windows 8
And this is an actual preview from Liliputing on how Windows 8 Developer Preview currently handles Portrait orientation in native and non-native apps:
John (Ionut Popa in Romanian) is the Editor in Chief at AllTouchTablet.com. He studied Computer Science and worked in IT press since 2002. He’s now involved in his own projects. My Google+ Profile, Twitter
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Hi I enjoy the update info, very helpful. I am eagerly awaiting Win 8 version next year before buying a new slate for the first time ( I use laptop) I have one question, can a slate be upgraded with different fond’s, ? For example I also write in the Tamil language, so is this possible with a tab? Regards Robert
The text all squished on the side is obviously an error that they need to fix, but the images and text running off screen is part of the Metro design. It’s actually quite nice; it’s an intuitive way of letting you know that there is more on the screen.
I have it on my Windows Phone and it really makes sense. Once you get used to it other things will drive you crazy. Like when I use iTunes on my iPod, I try to swipe it to the side in a natural movement, but insted I have to press the button or tab. Doesn’t sound like much but it really is noticable.
That is interesting about the split keyboard, it may be one of those things that sounds amazing on paper, but in reality isn’t practical.