REDMOND, Wash. — March 6, 2013 —Windows 8 was designed for work and play, for today and into the future. As OEMs have produced a new class of PCs, tablets and all-in-ones with amazing touch experiences that deliver entertainment and productivity, the possibilities for new apps have begun to unfold.
Since the opening of the Windows Store at the launch of Windows 8, the number of apps available has more than quadrupled. Along with major brands such as CNN, Audible, Hulu Plus and Netflix, the Windows Store now features many top games and other entertainment apps such as Angry Birds Space, Music Maker Jam and Skulls of the Shogun. It is the combination of compelling hardware and compelling, relevant apps that really bring this story to life.
The ability of Windows 8 to work across devices is making content more portable, so people can get what they want on whatever device they’re using. Touch is making things more accessible, too: Microsoft’s own research indicates consumers search more often, share more often and multitask more easily on touch-enabled devices.
With more apps being introduced every day, Microsoft News Center has launched a new “App of the Week” series to take a look at some of the latest and greatest. Check out the slide show below for a look at some recent hits, and some of the best hardware to play (and work) with them.
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HP ENVY 23-d140t TouchSmart All-in-One Desktop PC
March 06, 2013
HP’s new all-in-one desktop PC is optimized for Windows 8. It’s an ultrapowerful PC with intuitive touch capabilities in a sleek, space-saving design. It’s also perfect for your kitchen with the new HP Recipe Box that allows you to collect, manage and easily categorize your recipes. Enjoy entertainment for the entire household with everything from Beats Audio to video chat in high definition (HD). Bring magic to life with a touch.
VIZIO Thin + Light Touch
March 06, 2013
With a striking aluminum design, the VIZIO Thin + Light Touch with Windows 8 is a laptop that’s impossible to ignore. But don’t let its thin profile fool you. The high-performance, 14-inch Thin + Light Touch sports a stunning HD+ touchscreen display and premium SRS audio so you can travel through a whole galaxy with the new Angry Birds Space. Powered by AMD’s best Quad Core processor A10 and flash-based SSD for instant-on, the VIZIO Thin + Light performs like a powerful desktop machine but in an ultrathin profile. It also comes with Microsoft Signature, the cleanest Windows 8 experience on a new PC without junkware installed.
ASUS VivoBook X202E
March 06, 2013
If you're looking for an affordable, great, new Windows 8 PC, the ASUS VivoBook X202E is worth checking out. This notebook has an 11.6-inch, multigesture touch screen, so you can tap, swipe and pinch your way through your favorite apps — including the new Cocktail Flow app. Windows 8 lets you easily switch between apps, zoom in on stuff you want, rearrange tiles and much more. Its Intel Core i3 processor delivers speedy system performance, uses less power and enables sharper graphics. The VivoBook also boasts a 500 GB hard drive and 4 GB of system memory to give you smooth computing and ample storage for your movies, music and photos.
Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S
March 06, 2013
The new Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S is a mini Ultrabook that provides ultimate flexibility between work and play in a portable device and features a 10-point, multitouch screen. At just 0.68 inches, it also has the same hinge design found throughout the whole Yoga line, allowing four flexible usage modes: laptop, tablet, stand or tent. Watching Netflix has never looked better in both the stand and tent modes. With enhanced insides, the Yoga 11S supports advanced gesture controls that allow users to flip through photos and pages or rewind and fast forward music and videos using simple hand motions in front of its Web camera.
Acer Iconia W7
March 06, 2013
The Acer Iconia W7 provides high-end Windows 8 performance in a tablet PC form factor. Enjoy fast, clear, 10-point touch that will allow you to unleash your inner creativity with the Fresh Paint app. The W7 uses responsive and fast Intel Core processors that enable the system to take on spreadsheets, presentations and more complex computing tasks with ease. The Acer Iconia W7 has an 11.6-inch display that boasts full HD 1080p (1920x1080) resolution, so photos and video are vibrant and stunning while text and graphics are crisp and clear. It also comes with a keyboard/case for protection and efficient input, as well as a cradle that houses the tablet upright for use at the office or home.
Samsung Series 7 Chronos
March 06, 2013
The Samsung Series 7 Chronos packs powerful performance and rich multimedia into a thin and light touchscreen laptop. Ten-finger multitouch capabilities enhance the overall experience, allowing the user to interact directly with the screen, as well as the touchpad and keyboard. Rich sound and JBL-optimized speakers make it an ideal PC for producing and playing music through apps such as Music Maker Jam, while the laptop’s vibrant full HD display offers an experience that looks as great as it sounds. A powerful Intel processor and dedicated 1 GB of external graphics are great for multitasking, while rapid startup times and more than 11 hours of battery life make it effortless to stay connected and productive.
Sony VAIO Duo 11
March 06, 2013
Built for work. Designed for life. It’s the best of both worlds: a full HD Ultrabook and a touchscreen tablet. All in a compact, mobile design that’s ready for the world of Windows 8 apps including Shazam, the quick and easy way to discover more about music, TV and ads. Write notes or draw with the digitizer stylus, type an email or use your fingers to pinch, swipe and scroll your way through the Web. It is versatility redefined.
Dell XPS 12
March 06, 2013
The Dell XPS 12 convertible Ultrabook with Windows 8 is two devices in one: a full-powered laptop that easily becomes a fully featured, touch-powered tablet. The unique flip-hinge touchscreen display is elegant and easily transitions between laptop and tablet mode with a simple flip. The vibrant full HD capacitive touchscreen display provides more than two times more pixels than a standard HD display, delivering an exceptionally clear and bright viewing experience for SnagFilms, and app that offers the broadest collection of great independent movies for free.
Toshiba Satellite U845t
March 06, 2013
Weighing about four pounds and measuring only 0.8 inches thin, the Satellite U845t offers all the performance of a conventional PC but with slimmer styling and less weight. The Ultrabook features a 14-inch diagonal HD touchscreen display great for Windows 8, allowing consumers to easily navigate applications using gestures on the screen. With the eBay app for Windows 8, get more out of your buying and selling activities and never miss a deal. The Satellite U845t is constructed of durable aluminum in Ice Blue and also includes a spacious clickpad. Powered by a third-generation Intel Core processor and fast DDR3 memory, the Ultrabook features a 500GB hard drive with a 32GB solid-state drive cache, delivering extremely responsive performance, and it resumes from sleep in seconds.