With the introduction of Windows 8*, touch capabilities on PCs will soon become mainstream. Geared toward popular new form factors like the Ultrabook™, Tablets, and All-In-One (AIO) devices, Windows 8 has taken a fresh look at how we interact with these devices. Throw in the latest Intel® processor, and these tablets and Ultrabooks have all of the processing power you’re used to in a standard laptop.
As consumers adopt this new technology, developers are exploring the ways in which Windows 8 devices equipped with Intel processors can expand the possibilities of their software. We interviewed six prominent software developers to find out how they’re working with Windows 8 and Intel processors in the next generation of their software.
A More Personal Experience for Firaxis and Civilization V
Technology can seem cold, but the team at Firaxis believes the addition of touch creates a warmer experience for both the developer and the gamer. “Touch lets you connect more directly with the user,” said Marc Meyer, user interface lead. “It changes how you scroll the map. Dragging the world around on the screen is very visceral with an Ultrabook device.” The added mobility means more game time for users too: “You can play on your desktop PC for an hour,” said Dennis Shirk, producer of Civilization V for Firaxis. “And then take your Ultrabook device on the train to extend the game. You can save it, and when you get home later, you can hit the couch or go back to the desktop to play some more.” Read the full article here.
Eugen Systems’ Feature-Rich Games like WarGame: European Escalation are Mobile Thanks to More Powerful Processors
The games Eugen Systems creates are realistic and feature-rich, which requires additional processing power. In the past, this would have meant sluggish gameplay on a smaller device, but with the new, more powerful processors in mobile devices, games like WarGame: European Escalation* are possible. “On these devices, you have a great processor inside. The graphical chipset has more power than the previous generations. And the multi-touch hardware has really improved from just a couple years ago,” said Cedric Le Dressay, Eugen Systems co-founder. Read the full article here.
Cyberlink Finds Faster Processing with Intel® Quick Sync Video
Transcoding eats up a lot of time in video production. Until recently, the processing power needed was only found on desktops. “You might have a collection of files to start with: AVI, MP2, and maybe MP3. When you have finished editing each clip, you need to transcode, which means transferring everything into a common format such as MP4. PowerDirector* is perfect for that. But if you don’t have Intel Quick Sync Video, it takes a very long time to transcode,” said Wayne Liu, director of business development and OEM accounts at Cyberlink. Thanks to Intel Quick Sync Video, Cyberlink is seeing dramatic increases in speed for its software. “It’s not 20% more,” said Wayne Liu, director of business development and OEM accounts, Cyberlink. “It’s on the order of 600% more.” Read the full article here.
Synching Devices Means Nest Users Can Get All Family Members Organized
Keeping everyone on schedule might be the hardest part of family life. Current, the creators of the Nest Family Organizer*, knew that in order to do that, it would need to make sure its software synchs across all of a family’s devices. “Our team worked hand-in-hand with engineers from Intel’s all-in-one desktop, Ultrabook™ devices, and tablet PC teams during development to ensure that Nest syncs seamlessly with all your devices to keep in touch and manage family life wherever you go,” said Jonathan Rosoff, co-founder and CEO, Current.
Nest takes advantage of emerging touch technologies on all-in-one desktop computers, Ultrabook devices, and touch-enabled tablet PCs with Microsoft Windows 8. Easily accessible from these devices, Nest lets families create calendar events, multimedia notes and messages. Read the full article here.
Touch Allows for More Artistic Control in Krita
On a traditional desktop monitor attached to a desktop PC, users “paint” with a keyboard and mouse. On the touch-enabled Ultrabook™ device, the experience is completely transformed. “With touch we can easily put things where we want. Give it a flick. It feels more natural,” said Boudewijn Rempt, CTO and co-founder of KO GmbH, the software company behind Krita*. Rempt recognized that art comes from the artist, not the tool. Sometimes, the tool gets in the way—even the real thing, as when the color of dry paint surprises the artist. Krita users weren’t interested in software that mimicked “the real thing.” They were interested in a tool that enabled a truer expression of their artistic vision. Read the full article here.
A Faster, Less Expensive Experience for iRacing Fans
Time is of the essence in racing games. When it comes to cars, just like in real life, making a pit stop eats up precious seconds. “We also use touch to let you rapidly make pit stop adjustments to your car without reaching for the keyboard,” said Steve Myers, executive vice president and executive producer of iRacing. An investment in this new technology is easily justified when gamers realize they won’t spend additional money on extraneous hardware. “Touch eliminates the need for additional hardware in order to drive and enjoy the iRacing experience,” Myers said. Read the full article here.
Have you started developing for Windows 8 and Ultrabook? Tell us your thoughts on Twitter. We’re @IntelAdrenaline.
