14 DAY TRIAL // It’s no secret that Windows 8.1 will put the focus on smaller tablets, most likely 7- and 8-inch units, so Microsoft has implemented several optimizations specifically aimed at these devices.
According to a new report, Windows 8.1 will feature a Start screen that’s specifically designed to work flawlessly in portrait mode, thus make it more usable for smaller tablets.
Citing Antoine Leblond, Microsoft’s Windows Corporate Vice President of Program Management, ZDNet writes that most apps are supposed to run just fine in portrait mode thanks to a number of optimizations implemented into the operating system.
“We did some work in Windows 8.1 to have portrait-specific Start screen layouts that work much better. All of the apps that are in the box actually work just as well in portrait mode as they work in landscape,” Leblond said in his keynote at Computex.
“We did some work at the device interface level around edge detection and things like that to make it easier to have smaller bezels on these devices so that OEMs and folks who build devices like this could build exactly the kinds of devices they want, and Windows 8.1 will be great on them.”
Microsoft is believed to be working on its own small tablet, possibly equipped with an 8-inch screen, but the company has remained completely tight-lipped on this subject until now.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the second-generation Surface tablet, which reportedly includes this small device as well, is expected to be unveiled at the BUILD developer conference later this month, together with the new Windows 8.1 operating system.
The Surface Mini would be specifically designed to compete with the likes of iPad mini and Nexus 7, two tablets that are already enjoying a terrific success on the market. If reports are true, the smaller Surface is likely to be priced at about $249 (€190).