Windows 8.1 will be a free update to Windows 8 through the Windows Store
Microsoft has confirmed that the upcoming update for Windows 8 codenamed Blue will be branded as Windows 8.1 for public release. At a recent conference, Tami Reller shared that Windows 8.1 will be a free update to Windows 8 for consumers through the Windows Store. She also reiterated the goal of delivering continual updates to create a richer experience for Windows customers. Windows 8.1 is part of that and continues the journey.
Read more on the Windows Blog
Windows 8 App Of The Week: Learn how to make African recipes with the AfriRecipesWiki app
AfriRecipesWiki is a cooking app which includes African top rated recipes. It also allows users to include their own recipes and gain points as well as options to save your favorite recipes for easy access. Recipes cover the ingredients, step by step directions, and nutritional value. AfriRecipesWiki is a very nice cooking app for Windows 8. AfriRecipesWiki is my third Windows 8 app and one i had really had fun working on as i got to learn how to prepare a lot of local African dishes. Much of the information of the recipes showcase was gotten from some external sources and i do not claim ownership of the recipes content. AfriRecipesWiki goes for $3.49 but has a free trial period.
Download AfriRecipesWiki from the Windows Store
Windows 8 App Of The Week: Twitter
Twitter released a native Windows Store app for Windows 8 and as usual with Twitter, simplicity was the key factor. The app features Twitter’s Home, Connect, Discover, and Me tabs, and all the familiar features of Twitter, but is also designed with Windows 8 in mind, which means it can take great advantage of tools like the sharing charm and Live Tiles. You can also use Windows 8 gestures to do things like swipe photos back and forth.
Download Twitter for Windows 8
Windows 8 App Of The Week: Ask questions, Create polls and share ideas with TwinkleMap
TwinkleMap is a is a discussion platform where users discover, debate, and discuss the hottest issues. Users can view the questions and answers as well as votes but to vote, comment or rate a question, they will need to sign in after which they will be assigned a “ZekeId” that will enable them to continue. Its really fun and the best deserving app for App Of the Week…And did I mention its FREE?
Download TwinkleMap for Windows 8
App Review: Learn about the Africa Nations Cup with AFCON 2013 Guide
So here i was the other day doing a search on the Windows Store, and since we were in the AFCON Spirit, i decided to download any suitable AFCON app, so i searched for AFCON 2013 and no results came up. That came with mixed feelings for me. Firstly if it was an Euro tournament, there would be tons of apps for the tournament but now not even one came up. It wasn’t even used as keyword for an app, No result at all. Perhaps developers didn’t feel People with Windows 8 would actually be interested in AFCON 2013 or they felt Websites were enough for such information. Well people would need a Windows 8 app, so i decided to come up with one. Its not perfect but its my second Windows 8 app. It took me a day to finish(I wanted it to be out before Nations Cup officially started so i rushed it). So please be mild on the app.
Download AFCON 2013 Guide
Microsoft Announces Windows Startup Challenge
Microsoft has announced Windows Startup Challenge. a joint effort between Startup Weekend, DEMO and Microsoft Windows. The top 5 teams winning this challenge will receive a promo package which includes banners, marketing and PR support from Microsoft. Also the top team will get the opportunity to launch their app at DEMO Mobile stage in front of top tier seed investors, VCs, and tech press.
If you are just starting out as a Windows Store app developer, this challenge will test your ability to prototype a business idea and bring your app to life. The winning team will receive a spot at DEMO Mobile to launch their app on April 17th in San Francisco.
The challenge has two stages:
- Windows Store app prototype
Submit a 2-minute video (or a presentation) that shows a prototype of your app.
Deadline: January 29th - App design and development
If your entry is selected, work with an assigned expert to develop your prototyped app and get it ready for launch.
Deadline: March 1st
Source: Microsoft via Microsoft News
Windows 8 App Of the Week: Just get Windows 8 first and welcome to the future. #EndOfDiscussion
Windows 8 was released on October 26th 2012, and represents a massive change in the Windows sphere. I’ve been using it for months now and all i can say is using Windows 7 feels old skool already. It will take some time getting used to(the full screen apps, the live tile etc), but that’s the good thing about change. When you get the hang of it, you won’t go back. The Windows Store is the icing on the cake and showcases the best of apps from developers like me(Expect mine in a week, two at most).
Download Windows 8 here .
If you do not have Windows 8, you cannot download any of the Windows Store Apps. #EndOfDiscussion
Windows 8 App Of the Week: Multimedia 8 is an alternative media app for Windows 8
The built in Windows 8 Video app does a good job of playing media files but if you are looking for an alternative, Multimedia 8 is descent pick. It is a free media application that allows you to access network media, load subtitles, convert media files, play 3D video, capture from external devices and much more! Published by Marcelo Garcia, it is a neat and good looking app. It still needs a bit of work though but it does have a lot of potential. Multimedia 8 can be downloaded from the Windows Store, (You must have a Windows 8 system to download it). You can check out more details here
Windows 8 App of the Week: PopCorn Time
This week’s Windows 8 app of the week is the PopCorn Time by Konvex Studios. Popcorn Time is your ultimate movies database, that gives you exclusive information about the latest hollywood & bollywood movies along with their insight reviews, ratings, trailers and movie clips. PopCorn Time is a free app and can be downloaded from the Windows Store. You must have Windows 8 to get it. Go to the Windows Store Website to get more information on the app
Windows 8 app of the week: ClassicRSS takes RSS Reader to the next level
This is my first Windows 8 app of the week article(first of many) and the featured Windows 8 app is one by Nigerian developer Akinwale Ariwodola. Its called ClassicRSS. ClassicRSS is a simple feed reader which provides a familiar interface for reading updates from your news and entertainment sources. Subscribe to your favourite RSS feeds and read the updates the same way you read your mail. You can also search through your RSS feeds and share links with your contacts by mail, Twitter, Facebook and other share targets on your device.
This release is free until Windows 8 General Availability (October 26th), so head over to the Windows store(if you have Windows 8) and search for ClassicRSS or check it out here
