Windows 8 NEW FEATURES APP Development

Windows 8

Windows 8 has a new developer platform according to Microsoft Vice President Julie Larson-Green. The primary purpose of this article is to discuss the new features coming up in Windows 8. Especially I ll consider from the development side.

Here is the list of new features coming up in Windows 8 which I found based on various sources in internet.

Windows 8 Application Development features

1. A New developing environment for software developers
2. Windows Runtime (WinRT)  and app model
3. Adding Metro style to apps
4. It provides broad range of app programming languages
5. Compatibility with existing frameworks
6. Able to build component libraries with extensible frameworks
7. Able to create immersive user interfaces with adaptive layout
8. Massive media support for apps
9. Developing support for Internet Explorer 10
10. Support for frameworks
11. Maximize your earnings through Windows apps Store

Developing for Windows 8

In windows 8, Microsoft has provided number of excellent new feathers to the developers. It gives platform and tools to create rich app experiences where customers focus on tasks that are important.

With this new environment

• Web developers can use their HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript skills to build native applications for Windows.
• .NET Developers can use XAML, C#, and Visual Basic to build beautiful Metro style apps.
• Game developers can use the power of DirectX 11.1 to build amazing, immersive gaming experiences.
• Driver developers can use the new, integrated Microsoft Visual Studio development environment to increase productivity.

Windows Runtime and app model

The Windows Runtime (WinRT) is providing set of APIs used to build Metro style apps for the developers. You can use  WinRT API to in multiple languages such as JavaScript, C++, C#, and Visual Basic. As well as HTML5 and CSS3 APIs that are accessible to Metro style app developers.

Adding Metro style to apps

Metro style UI controls are designed for both touch devices and for mouse and keyboard. There are the three kinds of controls that you can use. 

Standard controls – these controls includes tools to display, enter, and manipulate data and content. Such as view, text, pattern, overlay, media (audio and video), content, collection, and basic.

Collection controls – these controls give developers to create rich content experiences in consistent, touch-friendly ways. Such as simple list, grid view, grouped grid view, flip view, and semantic zoom.

Intrinsic controls 

It provides broad range of app programming languages

If you develop windows Metro style apps using JavaScript leverage, then you can use combination of HTML5 and CSS3 to build the user interface and JavaScript for app logic. If you use C++, C#, or Visual Basic to build apps, you have to use XAML markup for the user interface, with C++, C#, or Visual Basic for app logic. Game developers are able to build Metro style type games using C++ and DirectX 11.

Compatibility with existing frameworks

WinRT APIs are able to access other Microsoft programming frameworks, like the .NET Framework or Windows C Runtime Library.

Able to build component libraries with extensible frameworks

By using windows 8 app models feature, you can build reusable component libraries. You can build your own custom components with C++, C#, or Visual Basic and then, you can use JavaScript or any other supported language to call these components from your apps.

Able to create immersive user interfaces with adaptive layout

By using Metro style apps, you can build attractive user interfaces using css3. It provides to your customers a fluid, natural-feeling experience. Smooth Animations, 3-D transformations, Flexible box layouts, Grid layouts, Multi-column layout are available.

Massive media support for apps

You can integrate audio and video content with your application using declarative APIs with support for many popular codecs.

Metro style apps also have access to the Windows.Media namespaces. By using this you can enable capturing, transcoding media, Play stream audio, video, or images to networked devices. With camera capture support, you can create capture controls, use a preview window, and specify resolution and codecs for media capture.

Developing for Internet Explorer 10

Internet Explorer 10 support for modern standards like HTML5, CSS3, and SVG, as well as hardware-accelerated graphics and compiled JavaScript. This type of technology provides you to build the next generation of web experiences.

Support for frameworks

The Windows 8 SDK includes free versions of Microsoft Visual Studio 2011 Express and Microsoft Expression Blend, as well as the latest tools, APIs, compilers, debuggers, sample apps, documentation, templates, tutorials, and guidance from the experts. Visual Studio 2011, Express, and Expression Blend work perfectly with Windows 8

Windows Dev Center provides developers to a dashboard which includes many ways to improve developing apps by monitoring their success. Such as View reports on downloads, revenue, usage, in-app transactions, customer ratings, market trends, and crash and hang data.

Maximize your earnings through Windows Store

Windows Store will meet your application with millions of customers to anywhere in the world. This environment will provide you to distribute, update, and get paid for the apps that you develop. Windows store has an ability to revenue-sharing approach so you can earn more. When you submit an app to Windows Store, you can specify whether the app is free, a trial version or full. With in-app purchases, you can set up your app to let a customer ot buy content or new functionality, such as unlocking the next level of a game etc... and also you can select countries or regions to sell your app.

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Windows 8 NEW General FEATURES

Here is the list of new features coming up in Windows 8 which I found based on various sources in internet.














General Features

1. New Tile based start screen
2. Touch keyboard
3. Windows 8 App Store feature
4. Apps can work together
5. Metro style
6. Picture password
7. New Task Manager
8. New easy restore
9. USB 3.0
10. Support for fewer Restarts

New Tile based start screen

A Tile is a program shortcut which displayed in home screen of Windows 8. And it is a small, rectangular program interface similar to the Icons. Tile is "Live" and "Interactive". Especially programs are able to display information on the Tile like notifications; current status etc. by using this you can get details and notifications from a program even when it is closed (not running). Users can click on the tile and perform some operations without opening the application. 

As an example Tile for your mail account can show the number of new emails. A stock ticker Tile can display the current trading value of few stocks.

Microsoft is bringing significant changes to icon concept with tile. The classic start menu is being replaced with a Tile based start screen.

Have used Windows Phone 7 will be familiar with the Tiles. Windows 8 borrows tile from the Windows 7 Phone UI. And Tile is touching friendly.

Touch keyboard

Windows 8 provides two touch keyboards for users for mobility and flexibility which is full size touch, Because of this it easy to use your computer on the go. It’s more comfortable and natural to type using your thumbs when the keyboard is split Whether you’re walking around or sitting down.

Windows 8 App Store feature

Microsoft introduction a Windows Store on Windows 8, like Ubuntu Software Center, and Mac App Store, that allows developers to publish their Metro-style applications on Windows 8 devices. 

If you signing up with windows Store, which means you can sell your app through Windows Store and you can tap into the broad customer reach of Windows around the world. 

Apps can work together

If you want to send some pictures in email, in different places like facebook, flicker you can easily pick and send the ones you want. Likewise apps can communicate with each other in windows 8.

Metro style

Microsoft has extensively redesigned "Metro-style" user interface, optimized for touchscreens as well as mice and keyboards for Windows 8.

Picture password

Instead of typing a password in login for the screen, a new authentication method allows users to use a set of gestures in the selected picture to login.

New Task Manager

A new Task Manager replaces with new Windows Task Manager (though the old version is also included).

New easy restore

Windows 8 comes with two new recovery functions. Which are named as Refresh and Reset, and both make a complete restore easier than a re-installation. 

USB 3.0

New USB 3.0 ports operate at speeds up to ten times faster than USB 2.0. To better support these speeds and longer battery life. Microsoft is outfitting Windows 8 with native USB 3.0 drivers.( windows 8 will have built-in support)

Support for Multiple Monitors

Windows 8 will include support for multiple monitors; The Developers Preview of the new OS includes first-time capabilities for extending the taskbar across two PCs, without any need for third-party apps. And it is easy to switch between multiple monitors.

 Support for fewer Restarts

In Windows 7 it gave users for number of options to update notifications and installation. Users could elect to have updates installed automatically or option for notification when an update was available and users have to choose to be notified only before the installation.

But in Windows 8, Most of those options will remain. Users will only be asked to restart their PCs so that an update can take effect once per month-on patch Tuesday. That's usually the second Tuesday of each month. There's one exception--critical security patches will trigger an update request immediately. 

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