Windows 8.2 Concept Sees Modern UI On The Desktop

Earlier in the week, we did report that Windows 8 Threshold might see the return of the proper Start menu experience, but that remains a rumor even until now. Of course, until something official comes out, we are stuck with the pseudo-Start button in Windows 8.1, but this has not stopped other more enterprising and imaginative folks from working on what could possibly be down the road. 20 year old designer Jay Machalani has thought up of what Windows 8.2 could look like, where it comes with the well loved Start menu, not to mention a seeming success in the integration of both Desktop and Start screen interfaces. Machalani, a self-proclaimed “UX/UI & Branding Architect”, has spent a few months working on a future Windows design, touting that he loves Windows 8 personally, thinking that it is “the best OS for productivity and awesomeness” despite being “filled with massive flaws.” The conceptual Windows 8.2 interface comes with a Modern look and feel, where Machalani shared, “You can make it bigger or smaller, pin your apps and live tiles, resize them, get a quick access to the Classic apps Jumplist (loved that feature from Windows 7), access the notification center, settings, power options and search. It makes sense.” Do you hope that Microsoft would go in this direction?

source-ubergizmo.com

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Windows 8.1 Is Now Available

                It was earlier this summer when Microsoft officially unveiled what it would be improving in Windows 8.1, which included the often rumored Boot to Desktop option, the return of the Start button as well as a number of other improvements. Shortly after the unveiling, Microsoft announced it planned to release Windows 8.1 as a free upgrade for current Windows 8 users starting October 17. As you could probably assume by today’s date and the title of this story, Windows 8.1 has indeed been released and is now available for your downloading pleasure.
                Those of you who have a Windows 8 PC, you can head over to the Windows Store to proceed downloading the Windows 8.1 update, which weighs in at over 3GB, so don’t expect the update to take place any time soon. Thankfully, Microsoft allows the update to be downloadable in the background, leaving you to carry on with your day. Once the update is ready to be installed, Windows 8 will prompt you the update is ready.                                                                                                                                                                Those of you who don’t have Windows 8 but still want to get in on the Windows 8.1 fun can upgrade for just $119.99 for the standard version of Windows 8.1 and $199.99 for Windows 8.1 Pro. On the other hand, considering Windows 8.1 was just released, those of you who haven’t jumped on the Windows 8 bandwagon will probably hold off a little bit longer with your current Windows version of choice



source-ubergizmo.com

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Facebook Launches Official App For Windows 8.1

We heard a dedicated Facebook app for Windows 8 was currently in the works just a few months ago, although we haven’t heard much of the application since its confirmation. Wonder now more about the Windows 8 dedicated Facebook application as its currently available on the Windows Store. Today’s launch of the Facebook app coincides with the release of Windows 8.1, which the app apparently needs to run on the new update, even though its description says it’s available for “Windows 8 users.” Once you’ve updated to Windows 8.1 and install Facebook’s dedicated app, you’ll probably feel right at home if you’ve used the service on mobile devices in the past. You’ll be able to update your status, view photos and check into wherever you currently are straight from the app, while its chat interface sits to the right side of the app. The Facebook app also has the well-known friend request, inbox and notification counters at the top-right portion of the screen, which are also touchscreen-friendly. The app also has a side panel that can be accessed at the left side that can allow you to access your news feed, messages, events, friends, pages, and more. So if you’ve been dying to have a more dedicated Facebook experience, get to updating to Windows 8.1 so you can download the new app.


source-ubergizmo.com

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