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[CHaun]

Since a lot of the new windows laptops are being shipped out with "S-Mode" enabled, are there any plans to create an app version of MC so that the the laptops don't have to make the one-way conversion to normal mode? (The battery life on surface tablets turns to poo when taken out of S-Mode)

[JimH]

Doesn't that mean we'd need to sell through the Windows Store? 

[Awesome Donkey]

Pretty much, yeah. Don't think you can use "external" licenses that way either. It's the same type of deal with macOS and Apple's App Store too.

[CHaun]

Yes. S-Mode won't install any app that isn't supplied through the windows store.

I would guess that it could still be a free app which requires a license after the trial period though. I'm certainly not a programmer, so I have absolutely no idea what kind of mountain or mole-hill I'm asking for.

With any hope, this may be a short-term fad with Microsoft to compete with the Chromebook ads, but all the manufacturers seem to be jumping on board since it allows them to sell sub-standard hardware with better looking specs... "all-day battery life! no viruses ever, we swear!!" :-)

[JimH]

I don't see how the store has anything to do with battery life.  That could be a myth.

Stores like Apple and Android take 25 or 30% of the selling price.  This is probably similar.  They also place restrictions on the developer.  It's more difficult for us to publish a release.

I prefer the Wild West, where a fella can stretch his legs without getting permission.

[tij]

Or consider upgrading Panel to progressive web app ... behaves like native app without need of any store

pwa also supports WebGL ... so can port theatre view ... then you will have nice Theatre View client for anything that supports pwa and WebGL

maybe food for thought for MC27 lol

[CHaun]

It's not the store that has anything to do with battery life. S-Mode is a stripped down app only version of windows 10, much like the original Microsoft surface (not pro) tablets used to run. It can be switched from S-Mode to regular windows 10 via a free, super-easy one-way only conversion. Once these laptops and 2-in-ones are converted is when the shortcomings of the hardware and battery life become apparent.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/s-mode

As an example, I have a brand new Dell 2-in-1 core i5 laptop that runs pretty much all day in s-mode streaming via browser, but once taken out of s-mode it can barely make it through a ripped dvd without needing a charge.

I don't know how or if Panel works in s-mode. I have tried the web gizmo and it somewhat works...besides being very clunky, it will only play titles in formats that windows can play natively (mkv is a definite no-go).

[Awesome Donkey]

Panel works in a web browser, so it should work in any web browser. Panel replaced WebGizmo in newer Media Center versions.

Unfortunately the only way to run MC on a restricted PC like that is to do the free upgrade from S-Mode Windows 10 to regular Windows 10. I honestly would be extremely surprised if MC ever becomes available on app stores like the Microsoft Store and Apple's App Store because of the restrictions on external licensing.