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Microsoft explains how it's getting rid of fake Windows Store apps
You may have heard that the Windows Store has a serious problem with counterfeit apps; for every legitimate title, there's seemingly a horde of fakes meant solely to take your money and run. At last, though, Microsoft has detailed what it's doing to cull these scams from its shop. To begin with, it recently toughened up the requirements so that app categories, icons and names reflect what you're really getting; hopefully, you'll see less junk going forward. The folks in Redmond are also scouring the existing catalog, and have pulled 1,500 apps so far. There's still a long way to go (search for "iTunes" and you'll see plenty of copyright abuse), but this represents a good start.
Microsoft brings home automation app and devices to the Windows Store
Unlike Google with its new $3.2 billion Nest, Microsoft doesn't have a lot of home automation products yet despite some interesting research. Redmond has now made a move to stock its shelves, albeit indirectly, via a partnership with home automation specialist Insteon. The pair just announced that an enhanced Insteon app will soon be available on Windows and Windows Phone 8.1 devices. It'll feature multiple, full-screen video feeds, device control, a visitor mode to give limited control to others and Live Tile integration for status updates. In addition, Insteon will sell standalone devices in the Windows Store including a leak sensor, LED bulb and WiFi camera for $30 - $80, with kits starting at $200. Unlike Nest Products or the Philips Hue, Insteon's system uses RF frequency and your home's existing wiring (PowerLine) to communicate with devices. The app will arrive on June 1st, with the devices hitting Windows Stores in July, complete with educational demos and displays.
Windows Store now helps you find apps faster, even if they're for your phone
Although Windows 8.1's store has a healthy stock of apps, actually finding those apps has been a pain at times. Much of the store's interface has been hidden, and it hasn't always been clear where to go if you're just getting started. Starting today, it's considerably easier to get around: Microsoft is pushing out a Windows Store update that puts more content front and center. The navigation bar is now a permanent fixture on the screen, and points you to popular areas like the categories and top app charts. You'll also see themed collections (such as music apps) and multiple featured selections right on the first store page.
Bing Maps Preview showcases new mapping experience 'built from the ground up' for Windows 8.1
Microsoft's been busy overhauling its Bing Maps experience for Windows 8.1 and, today, the Redmond giant's posted an app preview to its Windows Store. Users running that latest OS build can download the Bing Maps Preview to check out the sweeping, hi-res imagery, from satellite to street view, of our world. It's the Bing version of Google Earth, and it's just a taste of "what's to come" as Microsoft is only making 70 cities available for view in the preview. But all those petabytes of data aren't just for show, the new Bing Maps is designed to dynamically adapt to your orientation, with overlays for information on landmarks, businesses and other places of interest. Microsoft's even built in what it's calling "bubble view," which allows users to get a street view preview while remaining zoomed out on the map. This being Bing, search and Skype (enabled via Snapview) are both integrated into the app, so you can look up and make calls to highlighted addresses, as well as map out directions to destinations. The preview's live now, so you can hit up the source to get a first look at this new Bingified world.
Windows RT 8.1 upgrade returns to the Windows Store
Give credit to Microsoft for a quick turnaround -- after pulling its glitchy Windows RT 8.1 upgrade this weekend, the company has re-released the software in the Windows Store. The new version should eliminate the (as yet unconfirmed) boot configuration flaw that forced some users to restore their PCs. If you're eager to finally update that Surface RT, you just need to check for the update on your device to start downloading.
Don't even bother trying to upgrade to Windows RT 8.1 today
If you're one of the few people who own a Windows RT tablet (don't all raise your hands at once, now), you just got a chunk of your Saturday back. Citing a "situation affecting a limited number of users updating their Windows RT devices to Windows RT 8.1," Microsoft has pulled the upgrade from the Windows Store. The company hasn't supplied an explanation, though various sources cite boot configuration issues that can cause the update to fail. Microsoft says it is "working to resolve the situation as quickly" and "will provide updates as they become available."
Windows app install limit increases to 81 devices starting October 9th
Windows users rejoice: the days of only being able to install apps on five different devices will soon be over. Starting October 9th, apps purchased with a single Windows Store account will be sharable among up to 81 devices. If you recall, we learned back at Build that Microsoft would be increasing the app roaming limit, but today's announcement clarifies some key details nonetheless. Says the company in a blog post: "The change we're introducing will reduce the friction that most active customers have in being able to access their favorite apps from any device, and will give developers additional opportunities to monetize." This of course means one other thing: you're going to need a bigger backpack.
Microsoft reportedly close to unifying its app stores across Windows and Windows Phone
Microsoft is apparently far closer to bringing together its disparate stores than many thought. The company has reportedly already demoed a single app portal for both Windows and Windows Phone behind closed doors at its annual company meeting in Seattle, according to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley. One of her sources tells her that the new unified store will likely launch alongside the next iteration of Windows, version 8.1, although other sources were less certain on this. In any case, the gossip tallies with comments by Microsoft's Terry Myerson last week, who said that he sees the unification of Microsoft's platforms and APIs as a priority.
Redbox Windows 8 app out now, cuts lines with desktop reservations
It seems like everywhere we look, a Redbox is there. If you could use a helping hand to find one, though, there's now a Windows 8 app for that. Available today, the app assists in tracking down the nearest kiosk (our guess: outside your neighborhood's gas station), lets you reserve movies and games at the cardinal cabinets as well as watch trailers. An instant streaming app for the OS still hasn't surfaced, but we'd even settle for an update that reminds us to return discs on time.
Unity 4.2 adds support for Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and BB10
One of game development's most used engines is adding support for Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and Blackberry 10 today in its latest version, 4.2. Some support was already offered in the latest version's beta run, but today Unity 4.2 drops out of beta and into primetime. That brings Unity's mobile platform support up to four: Android, iOS, Windows Phone 8 and BB10 (for both free and paid version of the engine). Of course, the implications here are what matters -- Unity powers major mobile titles like Temple Run 2 and Republique, not to mention the new Deus Ex mobile game. As for Windows 8, games like Surgeon Simulator 2013 (trust us -- look into that one) and Interstellar Marines are powered by Unity. There are also a smattering of previously paid functions going free -- head past the break for the full list.
OneNote for Windows 8 gains Office 365 integration, touch keyboard improvements
Hot on the heels of the recent iOS and Android overhaul of OneNote comes an update for the Windows 8 and Windows RT versions which adds Office 365 integration and touch keyboard improvements. The app is available in the Windows Store right now and lets you sign into your Office 365 school or work account and sync notebooks right from within the OneNote app. As for the touch keyboard, it's both invoked and dismissed by simply tapping into any empty space, which makes it easier to use. This allows you to switch seamlessly between inputting text and finger painting -- or basically, just focus on your notes. Hit the source link below for the update.
The Daily Roundup for 07.02.2013
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Windows Store now home to 100,000 apps
Microsoft couldn't help mentioning last week that the Windows Store was on the cusp of hitting 100,000 total apps, and now the firm's announced on Twitter that the shop has officially reached the mark. Redmond may not best its competitors in the sheer number of applications available on their respective storefronts, but it did manage to rack up the apps much faster. While it took roughly a year and a half for Apple's App Store to score the same badge, and approximately two trips around the sun for the Android Market, the Windows Store has arrived at the figure in just eight months. With a healthy app shop and Windows 8.1 on the horizon, Ballmer and Co. must be pleased with their eight-month-old OS.
Windows Store recommendations could one day reflect your usage patterns
Yesterday was the day Microsoft made Windows 8.1 available as a public download; today's the day we ask "what's next?" Here at the company's annual Build developer conference, we sat down with Ted Dworkin, the man who oversees the Windows Store, to do a deeper dive on the store's latest redesign. In particular, we were curious about that new Bing-powered recommendation engine, and how it might become smarter over time. What ensued was a Pandora's box of a brainstorming session. Naturally, Dworkin wouldn't make any promises about what we'll see in future updates, but he did offer some compelling ideas about how Microsoft could take people's usage patterns into account when recommending apps. For instance, while Windows already knows which applications you've downloaded, a future version of the store might also be aware of which apps you use most frequently, which ones you've uninstalled, which ones you've shared, which ones you've pinned, which ones you've unpinned, et cetera. On a privacy note, the recommendation engine is already optional, so there's no reason why you couldn't disable this kind of data collection too. For starters, this an interesting idea for the developers attending Build this week -- there are definitely people out there who download apps because they're testing them (or reviewing them) and not because they plan on using them every day. Even more broadly, though, who among us hasn't gone on a downloading spree, just to see what they liked? With usage patterns taken into account, you might get more useful picks, ones that ignore that random Twitter client or Angry Birds game you installed. Again, Dworkin wouldn't say for sure if Microsoft plans on implementing any of this, but our vote would be "yes" if it leads to more recommendations we'd actually use.
Microsoft 'approaching' 100,000 apps in the Windows Store, boasts app downloads in the 'hundreds of millions'
Companies love milestones nearly as much as bees love honey, so it doesn't come as much of a surprise that Microsoft would take advantage of Build 2013 to announce as much positive news as it possibly can. This time, MS head Steve Ballmer has revealed to us that he expects the Windows Store to hit the 100,000 mark (in terms of total apps) sometime this month. Sounds about right if you monitor services like MetroStore Scanner to get a good feel for the OS's progress: it lists over 95,000 apps, which certainly fits the bill. Additionally, Microsoft also claimed that the very same Windows Store has witnessed app downloads in the vicinity of "hundreds of millions." This vague indicator is not as impressive as it could certainly be if an actual number was attached, but we have a feeling that our friends in Redmond are trying to keep the specifics as hush-hush as possible.
Photoshop Express brings its quick photo fixes to Windows 8 and RT
Adobe's Photoshop Express has been taking care of our botched photos on Android and iOS for quite some time, but it hasn't had its turn on a desktop-class platform. That changes with today's launch of a version for Windows 8 and RT. Like their mobile counterparts, Windows users can now make basic edits, apply filters and sync photos to Revel in a touch-friendly interface; the chief difference is the landscape-oriented Windows Store look. If you've wanted to use your Surface as a mobile photo workshop without paying for apps, you can grab Express for free at the source link.
Microsoft tops 100 million Windows 8 licenses sold, promises Windows Blue update in 2013
For many observers, the real story for Windows 8 was never going to be the 60 million licenses sold during the holiday rush -- it was always about the long term. The first indications of its post-launch impact are here, and show mixed results. In an interview on the company blog, Microsoft CMO/CFO Tami Reller says that it "recently" sold its 100 millionth Windows 8 license since the OS launched in October. That's a healthy figure, but sales of about 10 million units a month between its January stat update and today show adoption hasn't picked up again since the initial dropoff. The usual post-holiday lull no doubt played a part, although estimates of a much steeper drop in PC sales than usual suggest more was afoot. Microsoft doesn't see an immediate problem however, touting both brisk Windows Store adoption -- downloads of both free and paid apps surged from 100 million in January to 250 million -- and the pending arrival of more affordable convertible notebooks, touchscreen laptops and all-in-ones later this year. Oh, and about that Windows Blue update everyone's been talking about? It's at last official. Microsoft isn't mentioning details beyond the Windows Blue codename, but it does promise that the upgrade should be available before 2013 is over. We're looking forward to that extra level of personalization already.
OneNote update for Windows 8 and RT relives our childhood with finger drawing
Although Microsoft's OneNote is virtually tailor-made for pen input, we doubt most Windows fans would splurge on the likes of a Surface Pro just for the sake of a quick doodle or two. With the latest update to OneNote for Windows 8 and RT, they won't have to. The app refresh lets touchscreen PC users draw with their fingers using the same color and thickness options as their stylus-toting counterparts. The new input method won't be as precise as a pen, but it should do the job for simple diagrams or dusting off those kindergarten-era fingerpainting skills. Whether or not you're on a nostalgia kick, you can swing by the Windows Store today for the upgrade.
Windows Store unofficially reaches 50,000 apps
It can be scary mustering developer support for a brand-new app platform -- just ask BlackBerry. Microsoft may feel slightly relaxed, then, if MetroStore Scanner's unofficial estimates are on the ball. It sees over 50,380 active Windows Store apps as of this writing, which isn't bad for a shop that reportedly had less than half this amount back in November. Whether or not you consider it progress compared to the rest of the market is another matter: the tally is a big leap over the estimated 14,000 apps in the Mac App Store, but it won't make either Apple or Google break out in a cold sweat when compared against the six-digit app counts of their mobile app stores. Microsoft currently declines to confirm the numbers, although the company tells us that the app count may vary from country to country. For now, it's safe to presume that a fair number of app writers are onside with Microsoft's tile- and touch-driven vision of the future.
Windows Phone web store opens in 37 new countries, adds universal search, and supports installing apps via SD card
If you had any doubts about Microsoft's efforts to actually make an impact with Windows Phone 8, let this address them. After announcing that it'd be maintaining a full staff to certify apps through the holiday period, the outfit has just revealed that its web store for apps / games is now open in 37 new locations around the globe. (You can find the full list after the break.) All told, that makes 112 supported nations, complementing the phone store that's available now in 191 markets. As for other changes? First off, universal search is being added -- instead of having to go one place to find apps and another to search for how-to articles, you'll now see all these search results in one place. The web store has also gained support for installing apps via SD card, which Microsoft points out could be useful when a solid cellular or WiFi connection is nowhere to be found. For the full spiel, head on over to the source link.