Microsoft has announced on the Windows Team Blog that it plans on updating the built-in apps in Windows 8. Previously, when Microsoft released the Consumer Preview and Release Preview builds of Windows 8, it had bundled a number of Metro Style applications to showcase the new user interface, but as these apps were basically preview apps, their functionality was very minimalistic.
Now, the Redmond based company has announced that it is updating the SkyDrive, the Mail, Calendar, People, Messaging, Photos, Maps, Bing, Finance, News, Sports, Weather, Travel, Video, Music and Games applications. The idea is to beef up the capabilities of these applications as the currently, these apps are lacking major functionality, in particular for desktop users. The problem is that, Microsoft will probably satisfy the tablet consumers with these apps, but as Windows 8 is being billed as an singular desktop/tablet OS, it needs everyone to adopt the new user-interface, and till apps in the Metro environment gain parity with their desktop siblings, it will be a tough sell for Microsoft.
For instance, in the SkyDrive application, the update will bring the ability to search, rename folders and files. These are standard essential features and even the web client has these features. Users will be finally able to crop photos using the updated ‘Photos’ app, and again this was an essential feature that was missing.
Microsoft says that the first app that will receive the update will be Bing that will now have richer search results for local content and images, and will even have Bing rewards integration. Additionally, users will be able to use the file picker to select an image from Bing to use on your lock screen or in your other apps.
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