Windows 8 App reviews are coming.... BACK!

One thing I must say to my readers is a big: I'm Sorry

I apologize for the lack of content in the past few months due to spending time on other projects. But thank the Lord that as the title says Windows 8 app reviews are coming back. Yes, people out there desperate for editorial like app reviews that are longer than the ones you might find in the Store. We will be reviewing them  as much as possible, frequently, with a lot of content!

Book N Tech logo

We are proud to have our first logo. As you can see, it follows MDL (Microsoft Design Language). The shape in the background representing a Surface or other Windows hybrid look was designed to look similar to the button representing Surface on Microsoft.com homepage. We will have a live tile in the near future for your start screen and all you will have to do is go to the website on the Internet Explorer start screen app, not the IE desktop app, and push "Pin to Start".

Are you getting Windows 8.1

Windows Blue was announced a few months back after being leaked repeatedly after showing bigger/smaller tiles, new app store, and a Start Screen with background support. Now that Microsoft has released the ISO to the public with a largely positive reaction from the media the question is, "Will you buy 8.1 later in the fall or upgrade for free from Windows 8?" So please leave a comment about your opinion on Windows Blue.

A great new Chrome New Tab Page

I was on +The Verge in the Microsoft Tribe community when I stumbled across a Windows 8 themed new tab page. When I saw yet another Windows 8 theme for Chrome I rolled my eyes because the last 5 I tried were horrible to the 5th degree. Still curiosity won out and I decided to try it. To my surprise it did everything it said it would like have live tiles, re-sizable tiles, and changeable backgrounds. The new tab page never crashed and didn't compromise all of my Google Chrome apps. Below is all of my feeds that I really like.

Go download the app from the link below:

https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/modern-new-tab-page/ogllliimbhgmclkgjldeffhjbhaenapo

UX Design

UX Design, #contentfirst

When creating a user interface for websites, software, etc, you should consider the user experience, or UX. It should be straight forward and simple. Many companies design things with alot of chrome and shine. They use buttons that are supposed to mimic real world materials instead of having a digital layout. That design is considered skeumorphism. Apple was well known for skeumorphism but we want to avoid using that design language. Microsoft Design Language is the most mature and innovative design out and is being adopted by many. As you can see, this page you are on right now is following the #design.

Microsoft Design Language is supposed to be Modern, Clean, Fast, in Motion, all about Content and Typography!

That design language used to be called "Metro" but that is no longer the case. So don't call it Metro! This design might not be as appealing to amateurs because many of us are used to the shine and chrome. When people open a webpage, they don't want to have to wait on the decorations and usually want the info they were looking for.

So the next time you create a user interface for your website, software, or even your PowerPoint show, make it clean, modern, and put #contentfirst !

If you would like some great free example's just visit some Microsoft website's and take a look. Windows.microsoft.com, Microsoft.com, Microsoft Next and etc.

Outlook.com adds Skype to Chatbox

     As an Outlook Insider I was told about an awesome new feature being added to the cool chatbox in Outlook.com. The team is making good on the promise of integrating Skype into their already great e-mail client.