One of the most exciting things Microsoft announced at Build 2017 was the 'Fluent Design System,' not because of the name, which is a bit clumsy, but rather the underlying theory. Here's what you need to know.
The next entry in 4A Games acclaimed Metro shooter series is slated for a 2017 launch according to the book series' website.
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A new report claims to have more information on changes and additions that will be put into the Modern UI for Threshold, the code name for the next version of Windows from Microsoft. WinBeta.org, using unnamed sources, repeats previous rumors that desktop users of Threshold, which may or may not be released with the name Windows 9, will get a version of the Start menu that could be...
Since its inception, Windows Phone has had a bold visual design language defining the core experience of the OS. Initially called Metro, Modern design gets its influence from the work of Massimo Vignelli, who famously made the NYC Subway maps, and the school of Swiss Style started in the 1950's. At Microsoft, the lineage starts with Windows Media Center, up through the ill-fated Zune HD...
Join Nokia DVLUP this Thursday, January 30th at 8 AM Pacific for a one-hour online design seminar and learn how to win a free design consultation for your Windows Phone app. Last year WPCentral and the Nokia DVLUP team gave away several free design consultations for developers who wanted to enhance the visual design quality of their app. This giveaway was such a success that hundreds...
Eight long years after the Xbox 360 debuted in 2005, its successor console the Xbox One has finally arrived. The new console brings more than just increased horsepower to the table; it also sports an assortment of unique multimedia features and a new Kinect camera/microphone array that kind of works properly this time. Before we got to this point, the Xbox One suffered through limp...
Developers, looking for a way to spruce up your app? Need advice on your creation’s UI? Then you may want to take a look at Toledo Designs who just partnered up with Nokia through their popular DVLUP program. Why go with Toledo? It’s simple. One of the founders of the company is Arturo Toledo, a former Senior User Experience Designer for Microsoft's Windows Phone Design Studio. The man...
Mozilla is looking to launch Firefox on Windows 8 with a Modern UI (Metro to you and I). Think of Internet Explorer, but a browser made by Mozilla and you get the idea. If you're a huge fan of the popular web browser and have been using the desktop version (or own a Windows RT tablet), fear not as you'll soon be able to enjoy all the features and functionality with Microsoft's simple...
Earlier this week, a rumor was started by a certain “journalist” who shall remain unnamed stating that the Windows Phone team was looking to “start over” in 2015, including a re-write of the OS and that they were even considering toying with the Modern look of the UI. A few of you tipped us on it, asking us to cover the news but it’s a safe bet that if we don’t re-report something, it’s...
Today a collection of screenshots, showcasing redesigns within key Windows 8.1 applications, were leaked online. The shots showcase changes in the Windows Store and Xbox Music, along with brand new apps including a calendar, alarm clock, and voice recorder. The newly leaked store design showcases an application “shelf” with more upfront descriptions. The new UI introduces more text to...
We gave you a sneak peek last week of Simple Calendar version 2.0, featuring a swanky new Modern UI inspired Live Tiles and easy to read calendar system. While version 1.2 had been sitting on the Store we promised we’d update you when that major revamp went through and sure enough, it’s live now. Version 2.0 brings with it a bunch of new changes, including another new Live Tile that we...
Today has been an exciting day for both video gamers at E3 and Apple fans at WWDC. Despite what you may think, I actually followed Apple’s event just as closely as Microsoft’s press releases on the Xbox One. As I sat on our sister site, iMore.com, and watched the WWDC Live blog I realized that I absolutely loved the updates to iOS7. Apple decided to go for a “flat” design and get rid of...
File under fun. Like most of you, we spend a lot of time staring at some screens throughout the day. Typically our Windows Phone device and computer are the ones that get the most action. You love the look and feel of Windows Phone and get that same familiarity in Windows 8. But what about in the wild web? You don’t have much control over how a site looks. Or do you? If you want to make...
Ever fancied spicing up your networking when handing out personal information? You can now enjoy that Windows Phone look with some business premade cards. These beauties, compiled by 1800PocketPC, are particularly useful should you not be incredible at graphic design. What's more is that you'll be promoting Microsoft's new design language. Be sure to head on over to check out the full...
With the arrival of the new Facebook beta app for Windows Phone 8 this week, the discussion immediately focused on two aspects (1) functionality (2) design. The first one is one of those “in motion” issues that all betas face, meaning some functions may yet have been added (especially when combined with the ever changing feature set of the Facebook ecosystem). The second though ranges...
We don’t cover too much on the topic of design around here, but this was too handy to pass up for developers looking to do more with Windows 8. Ratio Interactive (http://www.ratiointeractive.com/) is a digital agency up in Seattle that makes various apps for companies across a lot of platforms. But lately they’ve been doing some kickass work with Windows 8 apps. Between running contests...
We’re thinking of a new series to bring you simply called “Who’s ripping off Windows Phone now” because as many of you know, Modern UI has been lifted by quite a few companies and websites. In all honesty, we’re flattered and if anything it validates the attractiveness of Microsoft’s design. But we do have limits, especially where “inspired by” crosses over into flat out copying. Such...
If there is one thing we know of our audience it’s that you embrace minimalist design ethic especially that of the Metro UI school of Microsoft. Indeed, this is one of the selling points of Windows Phone with its focus on design language, even for third-party apps. Simply Weather is a new, free weather app for Windows Phone 8 and while it doesn’t pack a lot in features, it does look...
It was barely over 24 hours ago that we reported issues with the Metro newspaper app and its inability to pull content down from their servers. At that time we reached out to the developers and received word that an update was coming to fix it. Well, here we are and a fix has already been pushed out to the Marketplace and is ready for you. If you’re from the UK you’re probably fairly...