Windows 8 Store Will Offer Free Seven Day Trials for Paid Apps [Windows 8]

#windows8 Microsoft has released the details on how they plan to run the apps released through the new App Store coming with Windows 8. We have known about the store for a long time, but this is the first time we've heard about the inner workings of the apps, like the cut Microsoft plans to take. More »

Microsoft details the People app, its cloud-connected address book for Windows 8

If you've yet to try the Release Preview of Windows 8 for yourself, fear not, because along with our detailed impressions, Microsoft is catering to your trepidation with a series of blog entries on its MSDN site that explore the nitty-gritty details of its latest OS. In the latest installment, we're given an in-depth preview of the People app, a cloud-connected address book that promises to be one of the many centerpieces in the Metro environment. For starters, Windows Phone users are bound to feel right at home, as the address book relies on cloud services to populate the entries from sources such as Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft and Twitter. Not only does this ensure that one's address book is always accessible and up-to-date -- friend removals come to mind -- it also brings quick access to social feeds via the "What's new" section and lets you keep tabs on specific contacts via live tiles on the home screen. By leveraging APIs known as contracts, Windows 8 makes the address book available to other apps such as Mail and Messaging, along with other programs written to take advantage of the service. One of the hurdles Microsoft is working to overcome with its cloud-connected services are the inevitable duplicate contacts. Currently, Windows 8 does a pretty good job of identifying and linking multiple accounts to one individual, but for the rare exceptions, the company will soon add the ability to manually edit and link various accounts to specific contacts. Naturally, with such a connected approach, security could be an issue for businesses, and for this reason, one's Exchange contacts will not be synced with their Microsoft account. In this scenario, users must manually add their Exchange accounts for each device they use. Take one look at the length of the MSDN blog entry and you'll be left wondering how Microsoft employees find time to code, but it makes for a worthwhile read.Microsoft details the People app, its cloud-connected address book for Windows 8 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 22:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink   |  MSDN  | Email this | Comments

Microsoft begins updating Office RT to final version

Microsoft‘s Surface RT runs Windows apps, not regular Windows software. As such, it comes installed with a preview of the Office RT app, which is Office 2013 for the Surface. Originally, Microsoft said that the update taking Office RT from preview into its final version wouldn’t be released until November, but it seems they’re ahead Read The Full Story

Windows 8 launch invites delivered for massive event

It’s time to get pumped up about the release of Windows 8 with a Microsoft press event that everyone and their mother knew was coming – October 25th. This event will show off not only the final release version of Windows 8 on a variety of devices – so we must assume – it’ll also Read The Full Story

ASUS Windows 8 rush of PCs, tablets, and convertibles let loose

Today may have been all about Apple, but ASUS is here to remind us that Windows 8 is right around the corner. Today it announced a slew of new devices and gave pricing and release information for the ASUS TAICHI, one of the most interesting machines we’ve seen all year. Make no mistake, ASUS is Read The Full Story

Windows 8.1 Blue confirmed for June launch for developers

During the Wired Business Conference today, Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President for Windows Julie Larson-Green confirmed that a major update for Windows 8 — known as Windows 8.1 “Blue” — will be launching this year, with a developer version arriving first during Microsoft’s BUILD conference at the end of the June. An exact release date for Read The Full Story

AT&T Nokia Lumia 920 Review

With the Nokia Lumia 920 we’ve been promised a hero device for Windows Phone 8, and indeed it has been defended several time before its release by Nokia and Microsoft – in so many words. But is Nokia’s Nokia’s brand power enough to make us believe the hype? This is supposed to be a “fundamental Read The Full Story

OneNote MX preview hits Windows Store with Metro UI

Microsoft’s first Windows 8 Metro style Office app, the tablet-centric OneNote MX digital note-taking software, has shown up as a preview release in the Windows Store. Among the tidbits seen officially for the first time is the new radial touch menu, with easy navigation buttons along with quick access to font formatting, copy, bullets, and Read The Full Story

Windows 8 Review

I have a confession to make: I never tried the Windows 8 consumer preview. You see, I’ve been a lifelong Windows user (I can remember my parents making a big deal out of our switch to Windows 3.1), and as a lifelong Windows user, I’ve been burned plenty of times in the past. Most recently, Read The Full Story

iPhone 5 launching in 100 countries on 240 different carriers

We’ve heard plenty about the iPhone 5 today, but now it’s time to get down to the nitty-gritty and talk release information. Apple said during its event today that iPhone 5 pre-orders will open up on September 14 – two days from now – and it will be launching in some countries on September 21. Read The Full Story