MS tablets

[erico]

So there has been the launch on the microsoft tablet thing...

RPS has a few interesting points here:
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/06/19/microsoft-surface-pc-gaming/#more-112773

But what it seems to me, is that the ´good´ version will be able to run GLB of the box.
This ought to be good 

Any opinions on the subject?

[MrTAToad]

By "good", I presume you mean the Intel version of Surface ?

Mind you, it might be worth getting the ARM version into GLBasic too

[mentalthink]

This it´s interesting... If I don´t wrong we can compile for the "good" has core i5 whitout problems?¿...

Another point, it´s the price about this aparell, I supposse at start have to be expensive.

[erico]

By "good", I presume you mean the Intel version of Surface ?
Mind you, it might be worth getting the ARM version into GLBasic too

Yes to both!

The ´good´ name comes from the RPS review hehe not me, I kind of find funny the way they state it.
Also, the caanoo compiler might work on their ARM version .
So the importance, IMHO, is the ARM version.

The ´good´might come around a bit expensive Mental, the ARM should be around the standard tablet prices dictated by apple, but that is just my guess.

[MrTAToad]

I can see it being a bit of work though - would have to make the resulting application Metro compliant plus allow touchscreen input

[Hemlos]

Looks coool.
But i think ill save my cookiejar for the holographic keyboards on the next generation apple stuff.

[spicypixel]

Wouldn't wanna start pressing that screen with the flimsy looking prop, nor would I want to NOT be able to put my elbows down either unless I enjoy stretching my arms outright to use the touch screen *thinking user looking like a zombie with two arms outstretched here*

Keyboard is removable but users want ease, I'd have preferred a taller tablet with a mini keyboard below the screen as part of the device, I can still take it to bed then and use all aspects of the tablet.

Cash in by all means but as for design, don't like the practicality nor do I like the not being able to rip the back off and upgrade memory, hdd, sdd etc.

For me this is FAIL

[TI-994A]

This foray into tablet manufacturing will mark the first time Microsoft actually controls the hardware and software for its operating system. Windows has always had to contend with delinquent OEMs and developers who do not comply with required standards and practices, causing the OS to function less than favourably. But now, with only approved apps being able to run on Metro, this new ARM-based tablet may prove to be a serious contender in its class.

On the other hand, the Intel-based W8 Pro version may not have the same stability unless Microsoft institutes the same mandatory approval system for its apps as well. While this may be good for them, it may not be good for developers.

[bigtunacan]

Just to be clear, GLBasic apps will NOT BE PERMITTED in the marketplace.  Only apps the run in Metro, aka the cheap ARM tablets, will be allowed in the marketplace.  All Metro apps will run on ARM and Intel processors both. 

[Ian Price]

I'm pretty sure that Gernot will overcome that hurdle - it'll be a tad silly to have a Windows based piece of software that can't compile for new Windows based hardwares. ARM coding is already possible with GLB (Pandora, Cannoo etc.) so I don't think Windows 8 will be much of a problem.

[bigsofty]

Not too keen on the form factor or that you have to pull a flap out at the back to stop it falling over!  I don't think Apple is loosing any sleep, yet.

[Ian Price]

Apple may not lose sleep but they may lose a few sales to people that don't like Apple but do need a tablet that integrates with what they have at work - M$ software. And that's exactly what M$ wants. Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Mail etc. will all use the same formats as they always have so they can be readily transferred and just, you know, work.

[bigsofty]

I genuinely hope this succeeds but I still fear it may not. Apples "1984" type of control they have over the independent use of their hardware scares me. They have managed to box producers(at a hardware level) and consumers in their AppStore with very little legitimate alternatives outside invalidating your warranty. How they did this still amazes me today! So I was hoping that MS would pull a rabbit out if the bag and knock them for six. Apple has fantastic premium hardware, MS needed at least A700 specs to compete IMHO and this is not going do it IMHO. I do agree however that a lot of people will purchase due to the familiarity of the windows name and software. I really hope they are successful.

Oh thank god for Android BTW!   

[TI-994A]

Just to be clear, GLBasic apps will NOT BE PERMITTED in the marketplace.  Only apps the run in Metro, aka the cheap ARM tablets, will be allowed in the marketplace.  All Metro apps will run on ARM and Intel processors both.

To be fair, even the hundred thousand apps in the Windows Marketplace cannot be sold in the new Windows 8 Store because it sells only Metro-based apps, which could technically be considered a new platform.

It has nothing to do with GLBasic per se; the new Windows Runtime API is totally different from the existing WIn32 API, and to expect a quick port is simply unreasonable. In GLBasic, GCC handles the binary compilations for the various processors, but Gernot handles all code and API conversions to C++, and with an all-new API, it's no small task.

[bigtunacan]

TI-994A,

Agreed.  My point was trying to clarify to the original poster.  Only Metro apps work on the ARM devices.  Personally I would love to see GLBasic supporting Metro apps.

I see Cocos2d-x has already added support for Metro, but I'm not a fan of working with Cocos2d