This has gotta be uncomfortable for the iPad. Now, Windows 8
tablet developers -- or anyone, for that matter -- can test their apps and play
with the Microsoft's Metro interface from within the confines of Apple's
ubiquitous tablet. The functionality is made possible by Splashtop, which is
known for its remote desktop apps that are currently available for Android and
iOS. It seems that a good amount of effort went into this application, known as
the Win8 Metro Testbed, which offers the same swipe capabilities that will be
available on a native system. This includes the ability to swipe from the left
to switch apps, swipe from the right to reveal the Charms menu, and pull down
from the top to close an application. Splashtop's Win8 Metro Testbed is
currently available for a promotional $24.99 in the iTunes App Store,
whereafter it will sell for $49.99. You'll find the full PR and a quick video
tour of the app's functionality after the break.
The equivalent of technological blasphemy
It's an eerie view, Windows 8 Beta/Consumer Preview, running
on an iPad but that has been made possible thanks to a company called Splashtop
which launched an app called Win8 Metro Testbed.
Strictly speaking though, the OS doesn't run on the iPad.
Instead, users can remotely control the OS from a slave machine using swipes,
gestures and classic keyboard entries.
The App normally costs $44.99 but is available for sale for
$24.99 for a limited period. Like most remote desktop solutions, there's a
client and a server.
The free server software is installed on the Windows 8
computer and you can access it after typing a pre-agreed password. Remotely
running Windows 8 on a local network is fast as expected with gestures, swiping
and pinching smooth and without lag.
Another alternative to Splastop would be Teamviewer which is
available both for PC and iPad app. It would be interesting to see whether
Microsoft launches a web-based demo just like it did for Windows Phone 7 back
in November 2011.
In essence, Splashtop shows that Microsoft doesn't
necessarily have to run Windows 8 on an Apple tablet platform to make it an
interesting pseudo cloud-based OS.
