Top 12 Windows store apps
Now that you have Windows 8, you probably want to see what's available at the Windows Store. Check out these 12 hand-picked hits that cover everything from productivity to cooking.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jason Parker/CNET)
Windows 8 is finally here,
and if you've ever started with a brand-new operating system, you know
that one of the first things you do is download the apps that make your
life easier and maybe even a little more fun while you're at it.
The Windows Store is pretty new and is not stocked with everything
you might want just yet (frankly, it's pretty anemic at this early
stage), but we've hand-picked a collection of apps that will be useful
for new users of Microsoft's latest OS. All are highly rated and come
from many of the popular categories such as news, music, social
networking, entertainment, and games. And while most of our list is made
up of free downloads, we just couldn't resist tacking an awesome paid
app on there as well.
Google Search
Clearly Microsoft would prefer that you use Bing for all your Web searching, but there are a lot of people who simply want quick access to Google. Fortunately, Google was one of the early apps ready for Windows 8 and it's only a tap away on the Windows 8 UI. The experience is almost exactly like being in a Web browser, but you can't beat the easy access.
Clearly Microsoft would prefer that you use Bing for all your Web searching, but there are a lot of people who simply want quick access to Google. Fortunately, Google was one of the early apps ready for Windows 8 and it's only a tap away on the Windows 8 UI. The experience is almost exactly like being in a Web browser, but you can't beat the easy access.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)
FlipToast
Sure, you could go to the browser versions of your favorite social networks, but this app lets you sign in to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and displays updates for all of them. You can update statuses on Facebook and Twitter, browse your friends and colleagues from all services, and view Instagram photos. It's important to note that you cannot upload photos to Instagram, however; you can only view photos.
Sure, you could go to the browser versions of your favorite social networks, but this app lets you sign in to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn and displays updates for all of them. You can update statuses on Facebook and Twitter, browse your friends and colleagues from all services, and view Instagram photos. It's important to note that you cannot upload photos to Instagram, however; you can only view photos.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)
Hulu Plus
Hulu Plus lets you sign in and watch all your favorite shows and movies straight from the Start menu. The interface is similar to what you get on the Web and you can swipe to browse shows and movies before launching them full screen.
Hulu Plus lets you sign in and watch all your favorite shows and movies straight from the Start menu. The interface is similar to what you get on the Web and you can swipe to browse shows and movies before launching them full screen.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)
Netflix
If you're not a Hulu+ subscriber, you probably have a Netflix account, and on Windows 8 the browsing experience is excellent. Swipe sideways to scroll through themed collections, view top picks based on your previous selections, and launch movies from the large, but limited Watch Instantly collection. Just like the Web and mobile device versions of the app, you'll be able to pick up where you left off on your most recently watched show.
If you're not a Hulu+ subscriber, you probably have a Netflix account, and on Windows 8 the browsing experience is excellent. Swipe sideways to scroll through themed collections, view top picks based on your previous selections, and launch movies from the large, but limited Watch Instantly collection. Just like the Web and mobile device versions of the app, you'll be able to pick up where you left off on your most recently watched show.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)
TuneIn Radio
Sometimes there's no substitute for live radio and TuneIn Radio is one of the best we've seen on iOS and Android devices. The app works similarly on Windows 8, and you can launch the app, find a station (AM, FM, or Internet), and of course, listen while you work on other things as TuneIn Radio plays in the background.
Sometimes there's no substitute for live radio and TuneIn Radio is one of the best we've seen on iOS and Android devices. The app works similarly on Windows 8, and you can launch the app, find a station (AM, FM, or Internet), and of course, listen while you work on other things as TuneIn Radio plays in the background.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)
Wikipedia
If you want more information on just about everything under the sun, you can now access the king of reference sites straight from the Start screen. Upon launch you get a home screen with featured pictures, featured articles, "on this day" content, and recent changes. When reading an article you swipe to the left to read more instead of the vertical scrolling you find on the site and we thought it worked great on the touch screen. You also get a button to view the same page on the actual site if you want.
If you want more information on just about everything under the sun, you can now access the king of reference sites straight from the Start screen. Upon launch you get a home screen with featured pictures, featured articles, "on this day" content, and recent changes. When reading an article you swipe to the left to read more instead of the vertical scrolling you find on the site and we thought it worked great on the touch screen. You also get a button to view the same page on the actual site if you want.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)
WeatherBug
Easily one of the most popular weather apps available, WeatherBug in Windows 8 gives you a quick weather outlook right on its live tile. Jump into the app to explore the latest forecasts for your area or any other location where you want to view the latest weather info.
Easily one of the most popular weather apps available, WeatherBug in Windows 8 gives you a quick weather outlook right on its live tile. Jump into the app to explore the latest forecasts for your area or any other location where you want to view the latest weather info.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)
News Bento
You can always use a Web browser for the latest headlines, but the app experience in News Bento is tough to beat for aggregating stories. Culled from an impressive variety of news sources, you can browse by the latest headlines or check your favorite categories and sites to get up-to-date info. Right when you launch the app, News Bento also runs through headlines so you can tap if you see a story that interests you.
You can always use a Web browser for the latest headlines, but the app experience in News Bento is tough to beat for aggregating stories. Culled from an impressive variety of news sources, you can browse by the latest headlines or check your favorite categories and sites to get up-to-date info. Right when you launch the app, News Bento also runs through headlines so you can tap if you see a story that interests you.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)
Allrecipes
One of the great things about having a tablet is you can bring it almost anywhere -- even if it's just to your kitchen. With the Windows 8 Allrecipes app you can prop up your tablet for hands-free recipe reading, or swipe to browse categories to find something interesting to make.
One of the great things about having a tablet is you can bring it almost anywhere -- even if it's just to your kitchen. With the Windows 8 Allrecipes app you can prop up your tablet for hands-free recipe reading, or swipe to browse categories to find something interesting to make.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)
Evernote
One of the best apps out there for syncing notes, images, to-do lists, and voice reminders is now on Windows 8. This app works on just about any smartphone or computer you can think of, and is enormously useful for transferring ideas and content from one machine to another.
One of the best apps out there for syncing notes, images, to-do lists, and voice reminders is now on Windows 8. This app works on just about any smartphone or computer you can think of, and is enormously useful for transferring ideas and content from one machine to another.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)
Fresh Paint
What computer is complete without a paint program? Fresh Paint has a great looking and intuitive palette with several tools and canvas types to paint your masterpiece. But it's also great for kids, with packs you can download that let them draw on your tablet just like a coloring book.
What computer is complete without a paint program? Fresh Paint has a great looking and intuitive palette with several tools and canvas types to paint your masterpiece. But it's also great for kids, with packs you can download that let them draw on your tablet just like a coloring book.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)
Hydro Thunder Hurricane ($9.99)
Most non-desktop-style games in the Windows 8 UI are like apps you might find on Android and iOS devices. But this particular game comes from XBox Live and is an incredible visual racing experience using tilt controls on a tablet or the keyboard with a desktop setup. You can even use a Xbox controller via USB and play the game as it was intended. Though this is the only paid app on this list (that's not a subscription) we definitely think it's worthwhile if you want to see what app-style gaming can be like in Windows 8.
Most non-desktop-style games in the Windows 8 UI are like apps you might find on Android and iOS devices. But this particular game comes from XBox Live and is an incredible visual racing experience using tilt controls on a tablet or the keyboard with a desktop setup. You can even use a Xbox controller via USB and play the game as it was intended. Though this is the only paid app on this list (that's not a subscription) we definitely think it's worthwhile if you want to see what app-style gaming can be like in Windows 8.
(Credit:
Screenshot by Jaymar Cabebe/CNET)
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