Windows 8 Has an 'Immersive' UI Browsing Mode

News
By Marcus Yam
published

As we saw with the Windows 8 welcome screen, Microsoft is taking cues from its mobile OS Windows Phone 7 in the design of its next big desktop OS.

WinSuperSite now has some images showing a new Internet Explorer-powered UI mode that is being referred to as "Immersive." A big clue to what the Immersive UI will be like is Internet Explorer, which takes on a look that's much like the IE Mobile browser in Windows Phone.

The Internet Explorer Immersive mode in current builds is locked to a view that is at 640x480, indicating its not-yet-finished state. It's likely that this UI and browsing mode is meant for touch-based form factors, such as a tablet.

The browser software works, and has features such as browser history implemented and executed in ways very similar to Windows Phone 7.

Discuss more about this and other Windows 8 features here!

Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam
Marcus Yam served as Tom's Hardware News Director during 2008-2014. He entered tech media in the late 90s and fondly remembers the days when an overclocked Celeron 300A and Voodoo2 SLI comprised a gaming rig with the ultimate street cred.
43 Comments Comment from the forums
  • crinkdude
    Windows phone for PC
    Reply
  • memadmax
    Ok, but, isn't that what "Ease of Access" for?

    And why would anyone need that on a desktop, except for people that are already using "Ease of Access"??????
    Reply
  • m0j0j0j0
    crinkdudeWindows phone for PC
    lol just what everyone wants!!!!

    i wonder if it will support copy/paste in the initial release, or just add the feature later like windows phone 7
    Reply
  • ascorbic
    I'm still on XP and I consider it very immersive
    Reply
  • joytech22
    I don't want Microsoft to bring a Mobile experience to a x86 platform, unless they plan on using it for mobile or simple devices such as a first-computer owner or something to place in the kitchen to check recipes.

    I like having a lot of things in a OS to play with, Bring on particle effects and fancy 3D screensavers with lots of eyecandy and awesome animations for menus.

    Computers have the power, now bring on the effects.
    Reply
  • TopGun
    When is Windows 8 supposed to be coming out? Will it make the price of Windows 7 go down when it does?
    Reply
  • Did Microsoft get into trouble before for integrating it's browser with it's OS? Now they are trying to integrate their search engine with their OS. I guess they want to get spanked again.
    Reply
  • PreferLinux
    joytech22I don't want Microsoft to bring a Mobile experience to a x86 platform, unless they plan on using it for mobile or simple devices such as a first-computer owner or something to place in the kitchen to check recipes.I like having a lot of things in a OS to play with, Bring on particle effects and fancy 3D screensavers with lots of eyecandy and awesome animations for menus.Computers have the power, now bring on the effects.Linux has all that and more!
    Reply
  • ascorbic
    The new strategy is....take your PC with you everywhere!
    Reply
  • back_by_demand
    crinkdudeWindows phone for PCYou mean how iOS is iPhone for tablets?
    Reply