The next version of Internet Explorer might look more like the competition rather than a retooled version of itself. Scheduled to debut in Windows 9 (codenamed Threshold), Internet Explorer 12 (IE12) is said to look like a "cross between Chrome and Firefox" as part of a massive overhaul to the user interface that will give it a flatter appearance.
According to Neowin, the tabs for each page are rectangles at the top and start at the left of the Windows, similar to both Chrome and Firefox. They also appear above the URL bar, unlike in Internet Explorer 11, in which tabs populate the area to the right of the URL bar.
"It really looks a lot like Chrome but with Microsoft's flat lipstick applied," Neowin observed. "It's still early in the UI phase but it does look quite a bit different from what we see now with Internet Explorer 11."
The back, forward, and refresh buttons all appear below the URL bar in IE12, whereas the back and forward buttons are to the left of the URL bar in IE11, with the refresh button plopped inside and over to the right of the URL bar.
What's interesting about the new build is how secret Microsoft is keeping it. There have been several leaked screenshots of Windows 9, but so far none of them feature IE12. That could be due to the fact that the leaked screenies show very early builds of the Windows 9 Technical Preview, at which point IE12 may not have been cooked enough to serve up.
According to Neowin, the tabs for each page are rectangles at the top and start at the left of the Windows, similar to both Chrome and Firefox. They also appear above the URL bar, unlike in Internet Explorer 11, in which tabs populate the area to the right of the URL bar.
"It really looks a lot like Chrome but with Microsoft's flat lipstick applied," Neowin observed. "It's still early in the UI phase but it does look quite a bit different from what we see now with Internet Explorer 11."
The back, forward, and refresh buttons all appear below the URL bar in IE12, whereas the back and forward buttons are to the left of the URL bar in IE11, with the refresh button plopped inside and over to the right of the URL bar.
What's interesting about the new build is how secret Microsoft is keeping it. There have been several leaked screenshots of Windows 9, but so far none of them feature IE12. That could be due to the fact that the leaked screenies show very early builds of the Windows 9 Technical Preview, at which point IE12 may not have been cooked enough to serve up.
Read more: http://hothardware.com/News/Reports-Say-Internet-Explorer-12-Looks-Like-A-Blend-of-Chrome-and-Firefox/#ixzz3DUUrUs9R
Information regarding Internet Explorer 12 supporting extensions begin to leak
Written by on Monday, Sep 15th, 2014 at 11:15AM @TheJoeFin
New reports are coming out which shed more light on the next version if Internet Explorer. This new version of IE12 is rumored to be codename Spartan and has been spotted in recent leaked builds of Windows 9. Neowin has rumored that the UI of IE12 will be improved and re worked, but the new leaks deal with something more technical, extensions.With IE11 Microsoft has been touting a fast and fluid 'plug-in free' experience. Websites should be coded with cross-platform standards such as HTML5, CSS3, and WebGL. If a websites uses these technologies then IE11 will run the site fast and render it properly (is the theory). This is a different from requiring users to download third party plug-ins, such as flash, Quicktime, or Silverlight, in order to view video or interactive content.
However a new report from Mary-Jo Foley says that IE12 may be bringing back the ability to run extensions. Since little is know about this project, information comes from job postings and research projects. From job postings, Microsoft seems to be working on a project Spartan within the context of users have a rich interaction with websites above what standard (plug-in free) websites can offer. There is also talk of taking the experience for people using their mobile devices to accomplish tasks such as calling a taxi or getting reservations. Some how Microsoft is planning on improving these experiences via the browser.
In addition to job postings, Microsoft Research has had some very interesting projects dealing with running legacy code in the browser via micro-virtualizations. This enables the browser to run existing legacy code in an isolated application-like' environment. This could mean IE12 will be able to run extensions to enable more powerful web experiences. This could also be an enterprise tool used to help companies run existing code in new browsers without having to worry about compatibility. Microsoft creating the ability to run x86 code via the browser could mean a feature rich browser for the consumer and a completely compatible browser for the enterprise, win win.
What do you think will be in IE12? What do you want out of a new web browser? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: http://www.winbeta.org/news/information-regarding-internet-explorer-12-supporting-extensions-begin-leak
Windows 9 Threshold Video And Screen Shot Leak Shows Start Menu, Task Bar And More
Windows 8 hasn’t been doing as well as Microsoft has liked, prompting the company to announce the next OS quickly. To that end, there are rumors that the company is planning a Windows 9 preview on September 30. However, screenshots and even a video have been leaked showing Windows 9’s layout and how it works.
There are two sections to the Start menu. While the first section consists of the traditional-style apps, the right is dedicated to the Live Tiles that are prevalent in Windows 8. Users will be able to pin apps from the left section into the right section of the Start menu. As more apps are pinned to the right side of the Start menu, the window will expand automatically. There is also the option to resize the apps and users will be able to collapse the right section when they need to use the File Explorer app.
However, for those who like the Start Screen from Windows 8, the leaked video shows that users will have the option to switch from the Start Menu to the Start Screen. The video also demonstrated floating modern apps. It looks as if the modern apps will no longer have to be snapped into position or run fullscreen. They will now work like traditional Windows apps giving users the ability to resize them.
As for the taskbar it is there and adorned with some new icons such as a search icon, virtual desktops icon, Windows Store, icon, and, obviously, the Internet Explorer icon.
What do you think of how the new Windows OS is shaping up?
German website WinFuture has posted a plethora of screenshots showing the Windows 9 desktop and a two-minute video of how the Start menu works. Yes, the Start menu is back. As can be seen, the Account User information is at the top of the Start menu which would give users the ability to log in and out quickly while, right next to it, is the option to shutdown or restart the PC.
There are two sections to the Start menu. While the first section consists of the traditional-style apps, the right is dedicated to the Live Tiles that are prevalent in Windows 8. Users will be able to pin apps from the left section into the right section of the Start menu. As more apps are pinned to the right side of the Start menu, the window will expand automatically. There is also the option to resize the apps and users will be able to collapse the right section when they need to use the File Explorer app.
However, for those who like the Start Screen from Windows 8, the leaked video shows that users will have the option to switch from the Start Menu to the Start Screen. The video also demonstrated floating modern apps. It looks as if the modern apps will no longer have to be snapped into position or run fullscreen. They will now work like traditional Windows apps giving users the ability to resize them.
As for the taskbar it is there and adorned with some new icons such as a search icon, virtual desktops icon, Windows Store, icon, and, obviously, the Internet Explorer icon.
What do you think of how the new Windows OS is shaping up?
Read more: http://hothardware.com/News/Windows-9-Threshold-Video-And-Screen-Shot-Leak-Shows-Start-Menu-Task-Bar-And-More/#ixzz3DUUzhOnZ
