Software : Build 2013: Foursquare and a host of other apps are checking into Windows today

Build 2013: Foursquare and a host of other apps are checking into Windows today
Build 2013: The Metro look will adorn Office apps, though perhaps not until 2014
Google removes clouds from the sky, brings Street View to iOS
Google Now for Android can now tune into your favourite TV shows
Sky prepping new look for Sky Go, adding more on-demand channels
BUILD 2013: Official Facebook, Flipboard flopping over to Windows

Build 2013: Foursquare and a host of other apps are checking into Windows today

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Flipbook and Facebook aren't the only apps heading to Windows.

Today Microsoft's Steve Guggenhemier announced Foursquare is heading to Windows, noting that its landing on the platform first, which leaves the door open for future Windows Phone support.

We'll also see ABC News land on Windows today, with Walgreens throwing up a phone app as well. Twitter updated its app with Bing's translator service last night, "Guggs" said, while Voxer is also heading to the Windows Phone today.

Xfinity and MLBAM apps are also heading to the Phone Store. Mint is now available in both phone and Windows, while Epicurious, Rhapsody and Viber are also on the way to Windows 8.

Developing...

Build 2013: The Metro look will adorn Office apps, though perhaps not until 2014

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Though we got a glimpse of an alpha build of the Windows Store version of PowerPoint today, a full fledged Metro-ization of Office apps is reportedly not due for 2013.

During Microsoft's Day 1 keynote at Build 2013, the company offered a peak oat PowerPoint, but according to ZDNet, it won't be until next year that Word, Excel, OneNote and the aforementioned PowerPoint are available in Windows 8 Metro versions.

Codenamed "Gemini," the restyled apps are due in the Windows Store in 2014.

There is a Metro take on OneNote, Microsoft's note taking app, as well as Lync, though updating the other core apps from desktop versions would bring all of the company's offerings up to speed.

App days

Another report on The Verge alternately said the Metro Office apps would be released this year, a time frame that makes a little more sense than 2014, according to the ZDNet report.

Microsoft could be trying to keep expectations realistic instead of over promising, and we could very well see Office apps with a new look come the final release of Windows 8.1.

During the Build keynote demonstration, Windows head Julie Larson-Green took attendees through a tour of the alpha version of PowerPoint. Presentation slides hosted video and transitions were graphically complex, while Larson-Green said it works on ARM and x86.

It was as enticing looking as PowerPoint presentations can be, but we'll see what final tweaks Microsoft has in store before release. Whenever that may be.

Curious what other apps were announced for Windows today?

Google removes clouds from the sky, brings Street View to iOS

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Google has rolled out new satellite imagery for its Google Maps and Google Earth services to showcase a world in higher resolution than ever before and without cloud cover.

The new imagery, which globally amounts to 800,000 megapixels (that's around 15 metres per pixel), comes from the Landsat 7 satellite and shows the texture of the planet in much greater detail than before.

To obtain the new view of the world, Google was able to mine hundreds of terabytes of imagery from Landsat 7 and repair the damage done to the images by a hardware failure suffered shortly after launch.

Using its Planetary Time Machine technology, Google was able to piece together images shot at various time intervals to to showcase the globe almost completely free of cloud cover.

Earth, Jim, but not as we know it

As is often the case, this wasn't the only update Google's mapping team unleashed on Wednesday. The company has also boosted its Google Earth app for iOS devices.

Version 7.1 brings Street View into the equation for the first time, along with a streamlined interface and a Wikipedia layer.

The updates bring the iOS app in line with the Android version, which got a fresh coat of paint last month.

Google Now for Android can now tune into your favourite TV shows

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Google has added new functionality to its Google Now app for Android, with one new card allowing users with connected TVs to learn more about their favourite shows.

The popular personal assistant app has been updated for US users to include a 'Listen in for TV show' button, which pulls in data about the programme the user is currently watching.

In a post on Google+ the company explained: "Just connect your Android device to the same network that your TV is on and tap 'Listen for a TV show' in Google Now. We will show you information, like where you've seen an actor in the cast before, or more information about the people mentioned in the show.

"So if you were watching Nik Wallenda cross the Grand Canyon this weekend, with Google Now, you could learn that the 'King of the Wire' in fact holds seven Guinness World Records, including highest bike ride on a high-wire."

Offers when you need them

The update to the Google Search app, which brings access to Google Now for Android phones on Jelly Bean 4.1 and above, is rolling out to the Google Play store today.

The new version of the app also includes a Google Offers Card, which will appear whenever users are in the vicinity of cafes, restaurants or retailers where they have valid vouchers.

"Now you can get reminders for your saved offers when you're near the store - right when you need it. Google Now will pull up the offer so you can use it quickly and easily" the company said.

The updates are only for U.S. users at the moment and Google did not offer a hint about when the new version of the app would be available in other territories.

Sky prepping new look for Sky Go, adding more on-demand channels

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Sky has pledged to revamp its suite of Sky Go apps this summer as part of a busy few months of improvements to its on-demand and second screen services.

The Broadcaster says a redesign of its popular mobile apps for iOS, Android and Xbox 360 are on the way soon, with a refreshed interface that makes it easier to tune into to live offerings while on the move.

The company pointed out that users of the refreshed apps will have access to 39 channels through the service, 14 of which were added in the last year.

For those who prefer watching on the bigger screen, Sky is also boosting its line up of channels available on Catch Up TV.

20 channels on catch-up

Four channels from Fox, Universal and Sci-Fi will be available on-demand from set-top boxes, bringing the total to 20 channels for the 2 million customers with connected set-top boxes.

The company pointed out that 41,000 downloaded the season finale of Game of Thrones earlier this month, which probably detracted slightly from the millions of illegally downloaded versions.

Beyond that, Sky is also opening up Sky Go Extra, which allows shows to be downloaded for multi-room customers who have multiple set-top boxes in their abodes.

BUILD 2013: Official Facebook, Flipboard flopping over to Windows

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Official Facebook and Flipboard apps are coming to Windows 8 via the Windows Store, Microsoft announced at its Build 2013 conference today.

Although neither Facebook nor Flipboard representatives took to the stage, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer spoke up for the newest Windows 8 app-developing companies.

"Facebook will bring an application to the Windows 8 environment. They're very focused on mobile," said Ballmer, before giving a quote-of-support from the social network.

"Mike Shavers, director of engineering at Facebook, said 'Facebook has always believed in connecting everyone on every device.'"

"Given our strong and long-standing partnership with Microsoft, this is an exciting way to advance that vision."

'The best Flipboard' on Windows 8

The internet's other FB, Flipboard, is also releasing a Windows 8 app in the Windows Store. But not just any Flipboard app - the best Flipboard app ever.

"Mike McCue, the CEO of Flipboard said 'We aspire to not only create the best Windows 8 Flipboard possible, but the best version of Flipboard possible,'" channeled the Microsoft head.

Ballmer also announced that Microsoft recently struck a deal with the NFL to bring its content and apps to all Windows tablets, PCs and phones.

Today, the NFL announced that its fantasy applications will be ported to these Windows 8 devices.

Lots of apps, less manual updating

Ballmer estimates that these new applications will help put the Windows Store over the 100,000 applications mark.

The good news for Windows 8 users downloading a wide range of the apps is that Microsoft will be enabled auto-updates for apps downloaded in the Windows Store.

We've got a host of new info pertaining to the Windows Store. Why not check it out?

Yahuui Blog

Thursday, June 27, 2013