Getting Around and About the New Windows 8 UI

Windows has released the new Windows 8 OS with a new interface that is marking Microsoft’s shifting focus from clicks to touch. The new Windows 8 is much faster than previous versions but after decades of seeing only your folders on the desktop, are you ready to embrace the new tile-filled UI, that is the Metro Start screen? We figure you might need help customizing the new UI for personal comfort.

In this quick-tip, we’ll get you started with some of the changes made to Windows 8 then show you basic configurations you can do to customize your Metro Start page.

Breaking the Ice with Windows 8

Some of the differences you will notice on Windows 8 are that many apps can only run when you are logged on with your Windows Live ID, and that Internet Explorer can be run in two different modes. The ‘Settings page’ also has gotten a new interface – I think we’ll start with this one.

1. Windows Metro Start Page

When you are on any page, or running any app, you can simply hover your mouse over the right side of the screen, to reach your Charms menu, that bar that seems to be playing hide-and-seek with you. You can find your shortcuts to the ‘Start’ page, ‘Devices’, ‘Setting’, ‘Share’ and ‘Search’ there. Alternatively, Windows key+ C will also open the charms menu.

If you hover your mouse to the left side of your screen, a preview bar will show you the apps you have running at the moment, as well as the Start page.

2. Log in with Windows Live ID

To get access to most apps on Windows 8, you will need to log in to your Windows using your Live ID. If you haven’t done so, you will get this error when you try to open an app.

To register your Live ID, hover your mouse to the right of the screen to reach your charms menu, and then click ‘Settings’.

Then click on the ‘More PC Settings’ bar at the bottom.

On the settings page, go to the ‘Users’ tab on the left and click on ‘Add a user’.

A new page will appear. Simply enter your Live ID and click ‘Next’ to complete the process.

When you have added your Live ID, simply log out from your Windows and log in again with the new user ID

With Live ID access, you can now use all apps available on your Windows 8. Also, you will be able to utilize SkyDrive and download more apps from the Windows App Store.

Customizing Metro Start Screen

Your Metro Start page is now the main page on Windows 8, and you have the ability to customize the look and feel of the page to your preference.

1. Personalize Metro Start Screen

To change the look of your Metro Start page, hover over the Charms menu on the right and go to the Settings page. Once you’re in, go to ‘Personalize’.

On this page, you can change your Lock screen, or click on the top menu to change the look of your Start screen.

You can also go to ‘Account picture’ to upload or change your account picture or avatar.

2. Tile Grouping

All tiles that are available on your Start screen can be grouped according to its class or category. For example, you may want to group your tiles under categories like ‘Social’, ‘Utilities’, ‘Internet’ and ‘Games’. To start grouping tiles, simply hold your mouse down on any tile and drag it to another position or group.

You can also create a new group by dragging the tile to an empty space; a new group will be created automatically.

To customize the look, you can also change the size of each tile, to have it appear as a rectangle or square. Simply right click on the tile, and select ‘Larger’ to turn the square to a rectangle.

3. Naming the Tile group

Each group of tiles can be renamed so it will be easier to remember. To start naming, point your mouse at the bottom right hand corner of the screen and click on the small magnifier icon. Your Metro Start page will be scaled down.

Now right click on any group of tile you want to label, and you will see an option appear at the bottom of the screen. Click on ‘Name group’ and enter any name you prefer for the group of tiles.

4. adding and removing apps to Metro Start screen

To remove any tile from your Start screen, simply right click on the tile and click on ‘Unpin from Start’.

To add a new tile (app shortcut) to the start screen, hover your mouse to the Charm menu and click on Search.

Now you are in a page where all apps are listed. Right click on any app to see the options and click on ‘Pin to Start’ to add the shortcut as a tile on your Start screen.

Visiting the Windows (App) Store

With Windows 8, it’s easier now to make your Windows fun. From the Start page, click on the Store tile to start purchasing new apps or download free ones.

Once you are in the Storefront, scroll left and right to look for any app you like, then choose to purchase or download for free.

Conclusion

With some basic changes, you can already customize your Metro Start screen to follow your preference. Although not much options are offered, soon enough when the product is launched, I’m pretty sure there will be more tips and tricks to better customization.
Getting Around (and About) the New Windows 8 UI

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Google Nexus 5 is here everything about the Nexus 5

Google has yesterday announced the Nexus 5. The most leaked smartphone in the history is finally here. Nexus 5 has top notch specs. And a great OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) Camera for brilliant performance.

You can buy the Nexus 5 on Google Play starting from $349.99 right now (Google Play link)

Design

The Nexus design is not the best but it is quite impressive, it looks similar to Googles 7" inch tablet the Nexus 7 (2013). It made of poly-carbonate plastic with matte finish instead of glass what we seen in the previous Nexus the Nexus 4. But it would not disappoint you.It is light weight and thin. It weighs around 130g and about 8.5mm thick. It not the thinnest and not the lightest phone but it still does the job.

It comes in two colors black and white. The white Nexus 5 has black front with white back. There is a large camera eye just above the vertical Nexus logo. The power button is on the right side of the phone and the volume rockers are on the left side of the phone. The speakers are placed on the front of the device just like the HTC One but not two speakers.

Display

The Nexus has very sharp 5" inch full HD display. It has a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels with the pixel density of 445 ppi. 

The display uses in-cell touch Googles famous display technology, which means there is no gap between the display and the touch, which make the touch more accurate and responsive.

Processor and Ram

As we told you the Nexus 5 got top notch specs. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Processor is powering the device. The most fastest and latest processor from Qualcomm. It has 2GB of Ram.

Storage

The Nexus 5 comes with two storage options 16GB and 32GB. There is no micro-sd card slot for storage expansion because Google hates mico-sd card slots. Google prefers Cloud backup instead of micro-sd card.




Camera

The Google Nexus 5 comes with an 8mp (Mega Pixels) Camera with a single LED flash, same pixel size as the previous Nexus. But now the Camera is made by Sony, and it has OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) which prevent photos from getting burred and create great blur free photos.It features a HDR+ mode will enhance the camera performance even more. It also has an 1.3mp (Mega Pixels) Front facing Camera, which also capture videos in 720 HD. The front camera is enough for video chats.

We have got some sample of the camera you can see the sample posted below.

Android 4.4 KitKat

The new version of Android debuted with the Nexus 5. The fastest Android version ever,also brings some new camera features like auto-awesome feature and many other. Nexus 5 is first device which comes with the latest version of Android Pre-installed. It also has huge system optimization which will bring low memory usage to the device.

Battery

The Nexus 5 has a 2300 mAh Battery. There are many smartphones which have more battery than the Nexus 5. So dont expect brilliant battery performance, the battery performance would be average. Just like the Nexus 4 the Nexus 5 also has wireless charging built-in but wireless charger will come in the box you gotta buy it as a accessory for about 50$ bucks.

In the Box

• In the Box you find a standard micro usb charger (not wireless charger).
• The Smartphone Google Nexus 5.
• Some Booklets etc.

Remember you will not get any kind of headset in the box, you gotta purchase it separately.

Price

The price of the Nexus 5 is 350$ for the 16GB variant and 400$ for the 32GB variant. It is available to buy at Google Play store.

We can say It is fastest Android device ever.

Are you willing to buy the new Nexus 5?

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