Microsoft updating built-in Windows 8 apps ahead of October 26 release
New Delhi: Microsoft has announced in its official blog its plans to update some built-in apps for Windows 8. As the world is getting ready to witness the launch of Windows 8 OS, Microsoft is busy updating certain apps.
Leading up to general availability for Windows 8, Microsoft said that the company will be releasing updates for many of the apps that were included with the release to manufacturing (RTM) build of Windows 8 that was delivered to PC makers and to MSDN and TechNet subscribers in August.
"Naturally, these app updates will also be available to PC makers to include by default with their PCs shipping in the future, but for those of you who have already installed Windows 8 RTM, it is super easy to get the updates from the Store app," said the company. The Store tile will notify when updates are available.
The Bing app is the first application to get the update. Other updates will roll out up until October 26th.
Here is the list of apps getting update and some highlights of the changes that you will see:
1. SkyDrive
Search within SkyDrive
Rename and move folders and files
New first-run experience
Custom sort order
2. Mail, Calendar, People, and Messaging
Conversation view of your inbox
Complete IMAP account support
Accepting and declining invitations in email
Capturing and updating your account picture
Improved search
Search for a contact within the Messaging app
3. Photos
Crop and rotate photos
New auto-curated collage slideshows
View photos and videos on network locations in your Pictures Library such as Windows Home Server, network shares, and HomeGroups
Move through photos in your Pictures Library even when you open them from the desktop
3. Maps
Bird's eye view
3,000+ indoor venue maps
Driving directions hints
Improved navigation and layout
Improved customisation, including custom pushpins and roaming options
Integration with Bing and Travel apps
4. Bing
Richer search results for local content and images
Bing rewards integration
Use zoom on your search results to see related queries
Use the file picker to select an image from Bing to use on your lock screen or in your other apps
5. Finance
Additional news and magazine content
More market exchanges enabled
6. News
Additional news content from partners such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal
Enhanced article reader, including font customization, zoom, pagination, and more
Improved offline reading experience
Slideshows
7. Sports
Additional news and magazine content
Sports videos
Slideshows
New soccer leagues, including MLS, J. League, and Brazilian League
8. Travel
Additional news and magazine content
Improved flight search and new flight progress indicator
Improved hotel listing page
Interactive 360-degree panoramas (gyroscope supported)
9. Weather
Improved default location usability
Hourly weather forecasts, up to 10 days
Day & evening high/low temperatures
10. Video
Purchasing in local currencies
Closed captioning
Search by actor or director
11. Music
Expanded music services
Rich "Now Playing" experience
Discover more music with SmartDJ
12. Games
Exciting new games
In-game purchasing
Invites and turn notifications
