Windows app

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

With Windows 8 that were apps , while the Windows 8 Modern UI (codenamed Metro introduced). A characteristic of Windows apps is that they are optimized for operation via touchscreen . This is where they differ from desktop applications, which are best operated using a mouse and keyboard. On the one hand, there are pre-installed apps that are updated via the Windows Store ; on the other hand, there are third-party apps in the store. Both the apps built into Windows and the installed third-party apps can be uninstalled. Exceptions are the desktop, the Windows Store and the Internet Explorer with the browser selection function.

development

Windows apps are all based on the Windows Runtime programming interface introduced with Windows 8 and Windows RT and can be developed in different languages . Programmers who are familiar with web development technologies develop the apps in the scripting language JavaScript and the associated user interface in HTML5 and CSS 3. Based on Microsoft .NET and XAML , apps can be written in C # and in Visual Basic .NET . Programming in C ++ and the use of DirectX are also possible.

Start screen and thumbnails

By default, the apps are listed on the start screen introduced in Windows 8. They are rectangular and can take on a square shape; this can be adjusted. Each app listed has an icon that is displayed for most, with some instead showing a preview (e.g. of messages), which can also be changed directly. They can be freely arranged and removed from the start screen.

The start screen is often referred to as the start menu; the actual start menu, which was introduced in Microsoft Windows 95 and gradually expanded in Windows versions as of Microsoft Windows XP , was removed with Windows 8 and replaced by the start screen.

In addition to the apps, desktop applications are also arranged on the start screen. Here it takes over the function of attaching to the start menu; pinned applications are listed here on the right.

Compatibility with Microsoft Windows Phone apps

Version 8.1 of Microsoft's smartphone operating system Windows Phone , announced in April 2014, contains the Windows Runtime environment ( WinRT ). With this, apps that were created for the Windows 8 touch interface (including updates) also run unchanged on Windows Phone smartphones. The compatibility with smartphone and / or tablet / PC has since been marked with small icons in the Windows Store .

List of apps included with Windows 8

The Windows 8.1 start screen contains all pre-installed apps

The following apps are already integrated in Windows 8 and are therefore an integral part of the operating system. Just like additionally downloaded apps, they are updated with the App Store .

Store

The Windows Store ( Store ) is itself an app. He manages all built-in and later downloaded apps. The apps are updated in the store, including the preinstalled apps. The store provides an overview of the various categories into which the apps are divided.

Desktop

The Desktop app is not a pure app, but technically it is treated the same way. It includes the Windows desktop as you know it from earlier versions. However, it can be closed like any other app.

Internet Explorer

In Windows 8, Internet Explorer is also integrated as an app separately from the normal desktop application. Both use the same engine ( Trident ). Compared to the desktop version, there are no setting options in the app. However, there is only one browser that can be used as an app. If another browser is set as the default browser, it will appear as an app on the home screen, if there is one.

calendar
The calendar app

The Calendar app is a simple calendar in which you can add notes, appointments and other comments to the individual dates. The entries can also be saved within the app. The current day of the month and the day of the week are displayed as a preview image on the start screen.

Bing
The Bing app for a search query

The search engine Bing also has its own app in Windows 8. It consists of a background image and a search field. The hits of the search are displayed as tiles. The opened pages are opened in the standard web browser.

music

With the Music app it is possible to play back and manage your own audio files. Their main function, however, is to acquire music in the form of a complete album or individual tracks. In addition, Microsoft's virtual music store Xbox Music is integrated into the app, which is accessed with an Xbox Live account. It is also possible to transfer videos to the Xbox 360 with this app .

Video

The video app is a video player and thus complements the music app . Their main function is to rent or buy movies from Microsoft's video library. This is also done with an Xbox Live account. However, it can also play videos from the local PC or removable media.

photos

The Photos app collects photos from the libraries, OneDrive, Facebook, Flickr and connected devices (e.g. a digital camera). This app opens all pictures by default. It is therefore an alternative to the Windows Photo Viewer , which was previously used to open all images by default.

to travel

The main function of this app is to bring different travel destinations closer to the user. This is done with a short description of the destination, which is equipped with photos.

Finances

The user can view various statistics via this app. It provides information on all financial issues. For example, the latest information on the DAX can be called up. In addition, current news related to finance are also available.

contacts
The
Contacts app

The Contacts app is the central address book. With this app it is possible for the user to synchronize his data with email accounts and social networks. She manages z. B. all contacts for the Messages app. The contacts and settings are saved in the cloud.

news

The News app , not to be confused with the News app , is an instant messenger that can connect to the Facebook and MSN chat services .

Weather

The weather app shows a weather forecast. There are also numerous pictures and diagrams to illustrate the results, which are updated regularly.

cards

The app maps is similar as well as Google Maps , a virtual globe. It enables the earth to be displayed as a map or as an aerial photograph (satellite image). The maps come from Microsoft's own Bing and the app can therefore replace the Bing Maps service .

OneDrive
OneDrive

The OneDrive app is an app from the Microsoft OneDrive online service . Some features that are included in the browser version are not available in the app. This includes B. the integrated Microsoft Word and other components of Microsoft Office . If you open Word files in the app, if Microsoft Office 2013 is installed, the document opens in the locally installed Office, otherwise a browser window with the browser version of Microsoft Office, which then displays the respective document, this happens in the set standard web browser.

Games

The Games app allows the user to purchase games for the Xbox 360. The app also provides an overview of many games that can then be downloaded or purchased from the Windows Store. It can also be used to view the success and progress of games that support Xbox Live . After opening, an overview of popular games appears in the foreground, referred to as the spotlight in the app .

camera

This app is a way of taking photos and videos via an integrated or connected webcam . Photos and videos can be taken, managed and saved in the app.

Mail
The Mail app, here with a sample message

The Mail app can be used to send emails from a Microsoft account. This is the app version of Microsoft's mail service Outlook.com .

Reader

The reader can display PDF files and can therefore replace Adobe Reader .

News

The News app shows the latest news, the news are sorted into categories. It is also a feed reader that allows the insertion of URLs, receive messages from different sources. The content is updated regularly.

Sports

This app was first published in the Windows 8 Release Preview. It shows the latest sports news and is therefore also a news app on the subject of sports.

Settings

The Settings app allows the user to make settings on the lock screen , the start page and the apps. This app does not replace the control panel, as modern UI functions can be adjusted here that are not available in the control panel. This app also includes Windows Update .

Successor product

With Windows 10, the platform was expanded and continued under the name Universal Windows Platform .

Individual evidence

  1. https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Universal-Apps-fuer-Windows-und-Windows-Phone-2160982.html
  2. blogs.msdn.de: The Contacts app: the extensive address book with cloud connection for Windows 8