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Splashtop brings Windows 8 Metro Testbed to Apple's iPad (video)

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.


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Splashtop Enables Windows 8 Metro Experience on iPad

"Win8 Metro Testbed – powered by Splashtop" turns an iPad into a Windows 8 tablet with native Metro UI touch gestures for Win8 app developers and technology enthusiasts

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) April 12, 2012

Splashtop Inc., the worldwide leader in cross-device computing, today released "Win8 Metro Testbed – powered by Splashtop," a remote desktop app that allows software developers and technology enthusiasts to simulate a Windows 8 environment on an iPad. By using Win8 Metro Testbed, developers can test native Metro UI touch gestures on an iPad as they code and compile new apps on their Windows PC.

On March 1, 2012, Microsoft tweeted that its Consumer Preview of Windows 8 was downloaded one million times in just 24 hours, and since then millions more have been downloaded. Now with the "Win8 Metro Testbed – powered by Splashtop," a Windows 8 app developer who has an iPad can avoid incurring the extra cost of a Windows tablet, which can run upwards of $1,000.

"Since Apple's App Store generates over 80% of all tablet app revenue, nearly every software developer that writes apps for tablets has an iPad," noted Mark Lee, Splashtop CEO and co-founder. "With Windows 8 Metro expected to ship on over 400 million new PCs and tablets annually, these developers have high expectations for an enormous new market. Splashtop lets them turn their iPad into a development testbed to evaluate touch gestures and functionality of their app in a Windows 8 environment."

The Win8 Metro Testbed enables native Windows 8 Metro touch gestures, including the ability to:

Swipe from the right to view the Charms menu
Swipe from the left to switch apps
Swipe left/right in Internet Explorer to move between pages
Swipe down to bring up additional menus
Swipe down on an item to select it
Pull down from the top to close an app
Swipe slowly from the left to run two apps side-by-side ("snapping")
Swipe from left-and-back to show running apps
Pinch to navigate files, folders, apps and data with Semantic Zoom
And more

View a short video of Win8 Metro Testbed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwIeWfvcZ_o

Win8 Metro Testbed can be downloaded for a special launch promotion price of $24.99 USD (regular price of $49.99 USD) from the iTunes App Store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/win8-metro-testbed-powered/id514878988?ls=1&mt=8