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Google published a "Chrome browser" app in the Windows Store on Tuesday, but it simply opened up a Google Chrome download page in the default Windows browser. Most users would then have been able to download and install the Chrome browser, except for the minority of Windows 10 S users who are restricted to downloading Windows Store apps which must use the EdgeHTML rendering engine rather than Blink. Microsoft was not amused at the stunt and removed the "app" from its Store later that day:
Google published a Chrome app in the Windows Store earlier today, which just directed users to a download link to install the browser. Microsoft isn't impressed with Google's obvious snub of the Windows Store, and it's taking action. "We have removed the Google Chrome Installer App from Microsoft Store, as it violates our Microsoft Store policies," says a Microsoft spokesperson in a statement to The Verge.
Citing the need to ensure apps "provide unique and distinct value," Microsoft says "we welcome Google to build a Microsoft Store browser app compliant with our Microsoft Store policies." That's an invitation that Google is unlikely to accept. There are many reasons Google won't likely bring Chrome to the Windows Store, but the primary reason is probably related to Microsoft's Windows 10 S restrictions. Windows Store apps that browse the web must use HTML and JavaScript engines provided by Windows 10, and Google's Chrome browser uses its own Blink rendering engine. Google would have to create a special Chrome app that would adhere to Microsoft's Store policies.
Most Windows 10 machines don't run Windows 10 S, so Google probably won't create a special version just to get its browser listed in the Windows Store. Google can't just package its existing desktop app into a Centennial Windows Store app, either. Microsoft is explicit about any store apps having to use the Edge rendering engine.
Related: Microsoft Adds Store App-Only Restriction as Option in Windows 10
New Windows 10 S Only Runs Software From Windows Store
Microsoft Knows Windows is Obsolete. Here's a Sneak Peek at Its Replacement.
First ARM Snapdragon-Based Windows 10 S Systems Announced
(Score: 2) by Pino P on Wednesday December 20 2017, @07:04PM (6 children)
Should it also be illegal to force students in a literature class to read post-1922* novels, short stories, or poems? Those are typically just as non-free, proprietary, and reader-subjugating.
Schools are "dependent upon corporations" for hardware on which to run free software. How should a school corporation secure the production of reasonably small and rugged laptops designed to run (say) Trisquel GNU/Linux? Then watch high school graduates not be able to find a job to pay their way through university because people with LibreOffice experience technically "don't know Word."
Would you prefer to require students to handwrite their research papers instead of typing them?
* Assuming current U.S. law. For other industrialized countries, substitute literature whose author is alive or died after 1946.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 20 2017, @08:39PM (2 children)
Baldfaced lie. Who do you work for? How much do they pay you to spread this kind of disinformation? Shills like you are about as effective as internet advertisements. I, for one, will redouble me efforts to persuade all and sundry, especially in businesses that I own, work for, or patronize, to dump all Microsoft products. They drew first Blue Screen of Death!
(Score: 2) by Mykl on Thursday December 21 2017, @12:24AM (1 child)
Jobs exist that don't require skills in the MS Office suite. More jobs exist that do require these skills. I don't like using MS products, but it's preferable to being poor.
I know that there will be a few replies saying something to the effect of "well, I don't use them and I'm doing fine!". Good for you. Your job is probably different to mine. We can't all perform the same jobs.
(Score: 2) by Joe Desertrat on Thursday December 21 2017, @09:53AM
If you can use LibreOffice you can use Microsoft Office, and vice versa. If one is unable to handle the minor differences between the two they should hire someone else who can. Most users do not use any of the features that might cause an issue between the two, or even realize they are there.
(Score: 2) by Arik on Wednesday December 20 2017, @09:24PM (1 child)
You would think so, but ironically they aren't, really. We still tolerate libraries lending books, also resale of used books, and of course physical books don't come with 'licenses' of dubious validity and expansive restriction; so in practice this is hardly an issue.
If laughter is the best medicine, who are the best doctors?
(Score: 2) by Pino P on Wednesday December 20 2017, @09:56PM
If you read a short story, and then years later you write a short story that is accidentally "substantially similar" to the earlier short story, you have infringed copyright in the earlier short story. This is established precedent in the U.S. since Bright Tunes Music v. Harrisongs Music, 420 F. Supp. 177 (SDNY 1976). How is that not "user-subjugating"?
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 21 2017, @08:49AM
I have yet to see a single one that dictates which brand of eye-glasses the reader is required to wear (including those with perfect vision).