Microsoft gives tablets some love in latest Windows 11 build
- Reference: 1645793107
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2022/02/25/windws_tablet/
- Source link:
It's been a while since Microsoft (or its OEMs) had a crack at a dedicated tablet, and we doubt there are many Surface Pros out there without a keyboard either attached or within reaching distance. However, with [1]build 22563 , Microsoft said "we're introducing a new taskbar state that's specifically designed to make you feel more confident and comfortable using your device as a tablet."
It doesn't look like a return to touch-first world of Window 8. Instead the taskbar now has two states for those with the right hardware (laptops and desktops need not apply) – collapsed and expanded.
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Toggled by swiping up and down from the bottom of the screen, collapsed tucks the bar out of the way, while expanded makes it easier to jab with fingers.
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The build, which supports ARM64 devices this time around, also includes more "dynamic content" for Widgets. "With a dynamic feed there's less of a burden on you to curate the canvas on your own," said Microsoft. Alternatively you can stick with your own custom design or just ignore them.
[5]Microsoft adds GCP to Defender for Cloud
[6]Dutch govt issues data protection report card for Microsoft
[7]Microsoft details 'planet-scale' AI infrastructure packing 100,000-plus GPUs
[8]Microsoft releases first preview of .NET 7
Other bits and pieces comprise a new group policy to allow IT administrators in education to turn off Windows Update notifications (although the nagging will resume if user action is needed and the device reaches the deadline). With a hopeful tone, Microsoft suggested devices might automatically update overnight, when students weren't present.
Searching from Quick Access now includes OneDrive, Downloads, and any other indexed location, and there are 37 new emoji characters to play with. Fixes include dealing with slow logins with a large temp folder and "a few issues impacting explorer.exe reliability."
Microsoft has also dealt with some cosmetic issues. One fix means the top border line of the taskbar now goes all the way across instead of stopping at the system tray. Sadly, it only applies if you're one of the lucky ones able to enable the tablet-optimised taskbar.
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As ever, there is no guarantee that what is present in this Dev Channel build will ever make it to the mainstream, and not all Windows Insiders with the right hardware will have access straightaway.
However, after a distinct reverse ferret following the [10]Windows 8 fiasco , the change could hint at a possible fondleslab future for at least some Windows users. ®
Get our [11]Tech Resources
[1] https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2022/02/24/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-22563/
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YhkLOIxn4giRntiIAZTT6wAAAIU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YhkLOIxn4giRntiIAZTT6wAAAIU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YhkLOIxn4giRntiIAZTT6wAAAIU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2022/02/23/microsoft_defender_cloud_gcp/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2022/02/23/dpia_microsoft/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2022/02/22/microsoft_singularity_ai_infrastructure/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2022/02/21/dotnet7_preview_1/
[9] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_software/oses&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YhkLOIxn4giRntiIAZTT6wAAAIU&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2011/09/13/windows_8_preview/
[11] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Yeah ! 35 new emojis !
I'm sure everbody was waiting for that.
Oh, sure, you would've preferred something useful but remember : it's a Microsoft product.
But are there any useful emojis? You know, like a middle-finger one or one giving the wanker sign?
"to curate the canvas on your own"
This is almost poetry. I understand every word there but have no idea what the complete sentence means.
Re: "to curate the canvas on your own"
I believe they're saying you can choose which icons go on the desktop.
How magnanimous of them.
Typical Microsoft really. Introduce new functionality of limited benefit (I'm sure a few people may like this, but for many it will be irrelevant), but ignore basic missing functionality that lots of people are asking for.
I don't recall this feature being particularly sought for in the Feedback hub, there are many features for the taskbar that have many more votes. But then fixing these would be an admission by MS that they have screwed up certain aspects of Win 11. And it usually takes a while for MS to realise where they've cocked up...
Sounds like 'Hot Bag mode'...with Microsoft bringing back historical features.
"With a hopeful tone, Microsoft suggested devices might automatically update overnight, when students weren't present."
This sounds like it's bringing back those early days of the Surface tablet 'hot bag mode', where updates were attempted and you find the tablet mode device, packed in a bag, runnning at 90+ degrees celsuis, with the fan blaring. And once it cools, the Graphics begin to 'blue screen', due to an overheated surface mounted GPU.
I wondered about that, too...
What happens if it's running on battery when it starts, the batteries go flat part way through, & the device is left stuck as a result?
Is the only fix^ to be damned-sure to plug it in overnight so any such updates are less likely to get interrupted?
^Fix for Windows, rather than just nuking the device & installing something less wobbly like, say, a one legged drunken pirate on a pogo stick? =-)p
Another test build of Windows 11 has emerged, this time with improvements
Well, it's about time!