Splashtop Inc. has released its Win8 Metro Testbed for Android remote desktop app, which allows software developers to simulate a Windows 8 environment on a tablet.
Positioned as an ideal tool for programmers looking to simulate the Windows 8 UI on Android devices, this version follows the company's Win 8 Metro Testbed for the iPad product, which has reportedly done well. The new solution works for Android tablets running Android 3.1 and up, with a target screen density of 600dpi (1280x800) and screen sizes of seven or 10 inches.
The developer proposition here is quite clearly the opportunity to test native Metro UI touch gestures on an Android tablet to code and compile new apps on their Windows PC. Windows 8 developers can use their existing Android tablets to test their applications and keep them current with new releases of Windows 8 Preview without having to purchase a new Windows tablet.
In response to the high demand from Splashtop fans and the developer community, we have provided a Windows 8 development platform for Android tablet owners," noted Mark Lee, Splashtop CEO and cofounder. "With Windows 8 Metro both iPad and Android developers can now turn their tablets into a development testbed to evaluate touch gestures and functionality of their app in a Windows 8 environment."
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
- Pinch to navigate files, folders, apps, and data with Semantic Zoom
