10 Apps That Show Metro's Potential From the Windows Store

A First Look at Windows 8 Preview Apps

The Windows Store within the Windows 8 Consumer Preview features a selection of third-party applications in their preliminary stages of development.

While these apps aren't fully polished, they offer an initial glimpse into the potential of the Metro interface and the direction of future Windows iterations.

Common Characteristics of Preview Applications

A defining trait of these applications is their streamlined interface, prioritizing content presentation and visual elements.

Traditional user interface components are deliberately minimized, creating a more immersive experience.

Regardless of individual preferences regarding the Metro design, Microsoft has committed to this app style as a core component of Windows’ evolution.

The company views this approach as representing the future of how users will interact with the operating system.

Key takeaway: These preview apps demonstrate Microsoft’s vision for a content-focused and visually engaging Windows experience.

App Installation on Windows 8

For users of Windows 8, accessing and installing applications is readily achieved by selecting the Windows Store tile located on the Start screen.

This action will open the store, allowing you to explore available apps.

Searching for Applications

Directly searching for apps from the Start screen is also possible. Simply begin typing your desired app’s name.

When the search results appear, choose the “Store” category to refine your search specifically to applications.

This ensures that the displayed results are limited to those available for download and installation through the Windows Store.

Cookbook

Cookbook is a visually appealing recipe application designed for ease of use. Its aesthetic, characterized by a streamlined interface and emphasis on high-quality food photography, is particularly noteworthy.

Users are able to navigate recipes either through categorized browsing or by directly searching a database containing more than 200,000 recipes sourced from BigOven.

User Experience

The recipe pages themselves are designed to avoid the clutter often found on competing recipe websites. This contributes to a more focused and enjoyable cooking experience.

A key feature is the application’s commitment to presenting information in a clear and concise manner, enhancing usability.

Cookbook prioritizes a clean layout, allowing users to quickly find the information they need to prepare their chosen dishes.

The application’s design philosophy centers around providing a distraction-free environment for recipe exploration and execution.

Cut the Rope

Cut the Rope is a game adapted for the Metro interface, stemming from the widely-loved mobile puzzle game centered around physics. It’s also readily available to play at no cost directly within your web browser.

Essentially, the browser-based iteration and the Metro versions are functionally identical. Developers leveraged the capabilities of HTML5 to construct these applications.

HTML5 Capabilities

Cut The Rope effectively demonstrates the power of HTML5 in the development of robust, high-quality Windows applications.

Furthermore, this approach allows for cross-platform compatibility, extending the game’s reach beyond the Windows ecosystem.

The game serves as a prime example of how modern web technologies can be utilized to create applications that rival native software in terms of performance and user experience.

This highlights the potential of the Windows Store to host a diverse range of applications built using web standards.

Kobo

The Kobo application transforms a Windows computer into a dedicated eReader experience. Its design closely resembles that of an eReader application intended for tablet devices, making it particularly well-suited for use on Windows tablets.

Furthermore, it provides a focused reading environment on your personal computer, eliminating potential distractions from the taskbar and other standard interface components.

Expanding eBook Access

Kobo’s initiative is likely to inspire other eBook retailers to offer similar applications.

Indeed, a Kindle app is already available, demonstrating a growing trend towards cross-platform eBook accessibility.

eBook reading is becoming increasingly convenient across various devices.

This allows users to enjoy their digital libraries on their preferred platforms.

The availability of apps like Kobo and Kindle enhances the overall reading experience.

It provides a seamless transition between different devices.

Ashampoo ImageFX

Ashampoo ImageFX provides a swift method for applying diverse effects to digital images. Furthermore, the application supports direct image capture from a connected webcam.

Core Functionality

Currently, this application presents a streamlined experience with a limited feature set. However, it exemplifies the type of uncomplicated image editing tool that is anticipated to become increasingly prevalent.

The software’s strength lies in its ability to quickly alter the visual characteristics of photographs and other image formats.

Webcam Integration

A notable capability of Ashampoo ImageFX is its integration with webcams. This allows users to directly import images from their webcam for immediate editing and effect application.

While presently offering a basic range of functionalities, the application demonstrates potential for future expansion and refinement.

Vimeo

Given that YouTube is a Google property, the absence of a dedicated YouTube application for Windows 8 isn't particularly unexpected.

However, a Vimeo app is available, and it effectively demonstrates the user interface design likely to be adopted by future video applications.

Selecting a video tile will launch a full-screen playback experience.

App Interface and Functionality

The Vimeo application serves as a strong example of how video platforms can be effectively presented within the Windows environment.

Its design prioritizes a clean and immersive viewing experience.

Upon choosing a video, the player expands to fill the entire screen, maximizing visual engagement.

• Full-Screen Player: Provides an unobstructed viewing experience.
• Tile-Based Navigation: Allows for easy browsing of available videos.
• Modern Interface: Showcases the potential of the Windows 8 platform.

This app highlights the capabilities of the Windows Store and the potential for high-quality video applications.

News Republic: A Focused News Reading Experience

News Republic functions as a news aggregator application, enabling users to curate their news feeds by selecting preferred subjects. It exemplifies a new generation of news readers, prioritizing content delivery over complex navigational elements.

Core Functionality and Design Philosophy

The application’s design centers around a streamlined approach to news consumption. Rather than emphasizing intricate menus and controls, News Republic places the focus squarely on the articles themselves.

This approach suggests a broader trend in news reader development. Future applications are anticipated to follow suit, adopting similar content-centric designs.

Visual Representation

An illustrative image showcases the application’s interface.

The visual demonstrates the app’s potential within the Windows Store ecosystem, highlighting its user interface.

Slapdash Podcasts: A Podcast Application

Slapdash Podcasts functions as a tool designed for the exploration, acquisition, and playback of podcast content. The application presents a user interface similar to those found in other podcast players, emphasizing visual elements and content presentation.

Key Features and Interface

The design of Slapdash Podcasts prioritizes a visually engaging experience. It shares common interface characteristics with comparable applications available to users.

A strong emphasis is placed on graphics and the display of podcast content within the application’s layout.

Users can readily discover new podcasts and manage their listening experience through this intuitive platform.

Grantophone

Grantophone is optimized for use with touchscreens, however, it is also fully compatible with traditional mouse input.

This application effectively transforms your personal computer into a versatile musical instrument.

Key Features

Users have access to a comprehensive array of customizable settings.

Sounds are triggered by either tapping the interface on a touchscreen or clicking the corresponding buttons with a mouse.

The application provides a dynamic and interactive musical experience.

Grantophone offers a unique approach to digital music creation, making it accessible to both novice and experienced musicians.

Its intuitive design and broad compatibility ensure a seamless user experience across various devices.

Evernote

Similar to its counterparts, the Evernote Metro application facilitates synchronization with your Evernote account via the internet.

Currently, the Evernote preview focuses on text entry capabilities. However, it does display images that have already been incorporated into existing notes.

Interface Preview

The preview offers a glimpse into the future direction of Evernote’s user interface design.

It demonstrates the intended aesthetic and functionality that Evernote is aiming to achieve with its updated interface.

The application allows users to seamlessly access and manage their notes across multiple devices.

Synchronization ensures that all changes made on one device are reflected on others.

This feature enhances productivity and collaboration for Evernote users.

A Unique Defense: Pirates Love Daisies

Pirates Love Daisies stands out as a highlighted game within the Windows Store. Similar to the popular game Cut the Rope, this title is built using HTML 5 technology. This allows for gameplay directly within a web browser as well.

The core gameplay revolves around the tower defense genre, but with a whimsical twist. Players assume command of pirates whose primary objective is the safeguarding of… daisies.

Indeed, the game presents a remarkably inventive premise.

Exploring the Windows Store

The Windows Store boasts a variety of compelling applications beyond those specifically mentioned. It's worth noting that certain apps, such as Kindle, Slacker Radio, and SigFig, were not immediately discoverable.

This is likely due to regional restrictions impacting their availability.

The Windows 8 Store is constantly evolving, with new applications being integrated on a consistent basis.

Therefore, independent exploration is encouraged to uncover the full range of offerings.

• Game Title: Pirates Love Daisies
• Platform: Windows Store, Web Browser
• Genre: Tower Defense
• Technology: HTML 5

Discovering hidden gems within the store is a rewarding experience for users.