Windows 8 has just gone to consumer preview which is really the ‘last test version’ before Microsoft release their new operating system to the world. The big change in Windows 8 is the ‘Metro Interface’ which is built for Tablets (and presently in use on Windows Phones) – its all about ‘touching’ the screen.
Because of how Apple and Google have grown their ‘online market place’ to sell Apps and build a whole new income stream Microsoft is to extend the Market Place from Windows Phone to Windows 8 which will mean lots of ‘Apps’ being released for Windows 8. Microsoft is late to the Tablet market but they are changing Windows in a striking way so their commitment can not be doubted.
Obviously it was time to look at creating the first Metro App, not strickly Apptavi but the obvious choice for myself was to create a version of the MyHighcliffe app for Highcliffe School. Screenshots are below and it works very well!
A colleague at work has been creating the Windows Phone 7 app and the simlarity between the Metro App design process and the Windows Phone process is striking. It is clear that Microsoft are looking to combine the Phone, Tablet and Desktop app process and this perhaps the key to their future success. If you add XBox in to the mix there really is the possibility of the same app running across many systems.
If you have an idea for a Metro App then get in touch.
