15 replies to this topic

[SurB86]

Microsoft is planning to block other browsers such as Firefox and Chrome from its ARM version of Windows 8 "RT edition."

Mozilla claims that "Windows RT will have two environments, a Windows Classic environment and a Metro environment for apps. However, Windows on ARM prohibits any browser except for Internet Explorer from running in the privileged 'Windows Classic' environment."

Mozilla further says, "What it means that only Internet Explorer will be able to perform many of the advanced computing functions vital to modern browsers in terms of speed, stability, and security to which users have grown accustomed. Given that IE can run in Windows on ARM, there is no technical reason to conclude other browsers can't do the same."

Source: Mozilla Blog

[Chrominator]

This is Microsoft's way to eliminate the competition.

[Mayankoo]

[Tataarujin]

Nope... That's total BS.

[Borix]

MS never learns from there mistakes

[FalseAgent]

Thread title is misleading. Microsoft is only blocking browsers from running on the desktop in Windows RT. These other browsers will still be able to run in the Metro environment, and they will be able to replace Metro IE as the default.

It makes sense, because why would anyone want to use a desktop browser on a tablet? Psh...

Yet another stupid headline by the tech blogosphere.

Edited by FalseAgent, 10 May 2012 - 09:31 AM.

[Mayankoo]

Thread title is misleading. Microsoft is only blocking browsers from running on the desktop in Windows RT. These other browsers will still be able to run in the Metro environment, and they will be able to replace Metro IE as the default.

It makes sense, because why would anyone want to use a desktop browser on a tablet? Psh...

Yet another stupid headline by the tech blogosphere.

But should you not take notice of Mozilla's words.
Why is MS blocking other browsers is the real question??

[ThunderROM]

Why is MS blocking other browsers is the real question?

This

[hb860]

I suspect this is FAIL.
In other words, they try to limit classic software developers from making ARM-compatible software for Windows RT.

Edited by hb860, 10 May 2012 - 12:22 PM.

[FalseAgent]

But should you not take notice of Mozilla's words.
Why is MS blocking other browsers is the real question??

Pretty sure they did it for technical reasons. Only Metro apps are optimized to run on ARM, not Win32 apps. Sure, the desktop is there, with IE 10 in the desktop and MS Office, but that's all the desktop is for. You can't install your own Win32 stuff on ARM, it isn't going to work.

Mozilla's complaint is that by not being able to access Win32, they cannot make a browser that is as functional as IE10 metro. However, let's face it, when it comes to tablets, Windows on ARM isn't in the same league as the PC market, and these limitations are similar to what Apple has done on the iPad.

I'm not siding with Microsoft here, i'm just trying to say that the situation is pretty obvious enough to understand.

Edited by FalseAgent, 10 May 2012 - 02:13 PM.

[The Alpha Gamer]

I'm starting to think Microsoft have gotten so cocky that they're just trying to see how much total bollocks they can get away with.

[orcus]

But should you not take notice of Mozilla's words.
Why is MS blocking other browsers is the real question??

Pretty sure they did it for technical reasons. Only Metro apps are optimized to run on ARM, not Win32 apps. Sure, the desktop is there, with IE 10 in the desktop and MS Office, but that's all the desktop is for. You can't install your own Win32 stuff on ARM, it isn't going to work.

Mozilla's complaint is that by not being able to access Win32, they cannot make a browser that is as functional as IE10 metro. However, let's face it, when it comes to tablets, Windows on ARM isn't in the same league as the PC market, and these limitations are similar to what Apple has done on the iPad.

I agree with you.

[Frylock86]

Thread title is misleading. Microsoft is only blocking browsers from running on the desktop in Windows RT. These other browsers will still be able to run in the Metro environment, and they will be able to replace Metro IE as the default.

It makes sense, because why would anyone want to use a desktop browser on a tablet? Psh...

Yet another stupid headline by the tech blogosphere.

But should you not take notice of Mozilla's words.
Why is MS blocking other browsers is the real question??

Didn't you read? NO classic Windows apps will run on the desktop in WindowsRT. NONE. No browsers, music apps, nothing.

No one should be using the desktop in Windows RT to begin with.

[mediar]

Didn't you read? NO classic Windows apps will run on the desktop in WindowsRT. NONE. No browsers, music apps, nothing.

No one should be using the desktop in Windows RT to begin with.

Huh , I thought that one of the best features of the newest tablets ( only Android supports that so far ) is that you can turn them into a PC just by plugging an usb mouse and keyboard and putting it on some kind of dock or stand ( like this one here ). Then you can use the desktop applications without any obstacles. And later, when you finish your work, you just unplug the mouse and keyboard you have a tablet again. And I love that feature in my Archos tablet. But, it seems, microsoft is doing it wrong once again.

Edited by mediar, 10 May 2012 - 04:28 PM.

[yanike]

The reason I love Linux technologies and not looking back. Some of M$'s technology is limited. As for iOS, they do allow other browsers to be on it. Some people probably ask about Chrome, but what's the use of Chrome on iOS when it's a different browser using the same engine as Safari. On top of that Safari is managed by the people who own and develop Webkit?

Edited by yanike, 10 May 2012 - 04:55 PM.

[Frylock86]

Didn't you read? NO classic Windows apps will run on the desktop in WindowsRT. NONE. No browsers, music apps, nothing.

No one should be using the desktop in Windows RT to begin with.

Huh , I thought that one of the best features of the newest tablets ( only Android supports that so far ) is that you can turn them into a PC just by plugging an usb mouse and keyboard and putting it on some kind of dock or stand ( like this one here ). Then you can use the desktop applications without any obstacles. And later, when you finish your work, you just unplug the mouse and keyboard you have a tablet again. And I love that feature in my Archos tablet. But, it seems, microsoft is doing it wrong once again.

On x86 - YOU CAN. In fact, I'd love an x86 tablet that could do just that.

However, on WindowsRT, YOU CAN'T. There are no classic apps that can run on the ARM architecture as far as I am aware. So, it's not just browsers that won't run.