Microsoft has made the anticipated Windows 8 Release Preview available to download in 14 supported languages. This version is the final release before the next major operating system hits gold, and includes a number of improvements made by Microsoft using feedback received from the community in past releases. Should you be familiar with Windows 8, and have installed the Consumer Preview...
Early this morning we reported on the mini song "Metro" by Matt Oglesby created on nothing but free Windows Phones apps. The tune has a chill yet vibrant feel to it and as a few of you noticed in comments, it would make a solid ringtone on your device. While there are browser plugins that will easily rip YouTube audio and convert it to an MP3, there is a much easier way to do it...
There's no shortage of those with creativity in the Windows Phone universe but here's one that will surely blow you away. Musical talent Matt Oglesby stitched together this 'Metro' song using nothing but his Nokia Lumia 800 and some free music apps found on the Marketplace. The result? After two hard days he cobbled together what you see and hear above. Color us impressed. Head to Matt'...
One of the main reasons so many of us like Windows Phone is because the UI design is not only unique but equally mesmerizing. From Windows Media Center to Zune HD to Windows Phone, the Metro UI lineage is as clear as the subway signs it's based on. The popular and influential business magazine Fast Company has named the Design Lead for Windows Phone, Jeff Fong, #81 in their 100 Most...
Arturo Toledo, a Senior User Experience Designer for the Windows Phone Design Studio who chose to leave Microsoft last month, has announced plans to finish the Windows Phone Design Series. Toleda is set to turn the series into a free e-book. More good news is Toledo plans to stay involved in Metro for the future, I guess we can't get rid of superb talent that easily? The 31 “Weeks” of...
In a neat little historical post over at the site Project Metro, the origins of the Metro UI design language are given some detail. What makes it interesting is the information came from a Microsoft presentation on the topic at an early "Behind the Tiles" event. We won't steal all of their thunder from the fun little read, so we'll just tease you with a bit of it: "The whole idea...
Microsoft has teamed up with AnythingbutiPhone to provide the Windows Phone community with a number of invitation-only events across the U.S. 36 events will be held at 12 Best Buy establishments on set days that will run from 6:30pm - 9:00pm. Branded "Behind the Tiles with Windows Phone", these sessions will enable attendees to get hands-on experience with a variety of devices and learn...
The BBC Mobile Site is in active public beta, which can be accessed from your Windows Phone via Internet Explorer. This beta makes use of a Metro UI look and feel with simplistic graphics and "live tile" like story headline boxes. The new mobile site design matches the main homepage, which also looks Metro influenced. Should you prefer a more app-driven experience when reading the BBC...
![Metro Studio 1: Thousands of Metro icons, FREE [Developers]](https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/w300h225crop/public/postimages/16032/syncfusion.png?itok=uFeKlwxy)
Every so often we cover tools that help out developers, but this is in another league. A company called SyncFusion has created a product called Metro Studio 1 which looks to be invaluable to developers and designers alike. The company traditionally develops .NET components for ASP.NET, WPF, WinForms, Silverlight, WP7 and others. Metro Studio 1 comes with 600 unique metro icons that...
Gizmodo has posted a nice interview with Sam Moreau, Director of User Experience for Windows, Windows Live and Internet Explorer (LinkedIn) at Microsoft. He's basically the guy tasked with the Windows 8 UI redesign which obviously has taken its cues from Windows Phone (which took its cues from Zune and goes back to Windows Media Center). The interview is quite fascinating as it entails...
Metro, a commuter newspaper, is available in a number of cities across the UK and at major stations on a number of rail networks. Not only has the paper sported Windows Phone advertisements for HTC Mango handsets, but now we have an official app being made available. As is with the newspaper in its physical publication, the app is free of charge accompanied by advertisements. The app...
Continuing the ongoing change in tech-media attitudes (see here, here and here) comes a good read from the folks at Lockergnome, run by Chris Pirillo. Pirillo is one of those guys you either find fascinating or extremely annoying--we're actually in the former camp as we appreciate his geeky observations and dedication to the field, but we digress. The post, written by Robert Glen...
MetroTube, the rebranded, updated version of LazyTube, has finally launched in the Marketplace. Yes folks, the much anticipated YouTube client for Windows Phone that includes many new features, Live Tiles and a smooth, elegant interface that embraces the Metro UI is finally here for you to download and use daily. What's more, we're told it's launching with a special offer: an...
Everyone keeps pleading with Microsoft to advertise and push Windows Phone. Well, it looks like it is starting to happen (and we'll see more Monday). This shot was taken by Josh in downtown Bellevue, about a half mile from the Microsoft Store. Not a bad idea for a metro bus we suppose. And it sure is eye-catching. Thanks Josh for the pic!
We've previously covered HTC advertising in Metro, a popular British newspaper, but it's now extreme. The newspaper offers an advertiser the opportunity to purchase the front and back pages. HTC has now taken not only a full page inside the paper, but the Radar is the first image you see when picking it from the stand. The Metro newspaper is often read by commuters to and from work,...
Nokia Conversations, the official Nokia blog, has received a boost of Metro goodness with a design revamp. They've rethought the structure of the website itself and plan to direct visitors to only the most relevant top stories. Upon visiting Nokia Conversations, you're hit by the top story immediately, with the ability to browse previous issues as if it were a magazine stand. Check out...
Microsoft's Andy Lees, president of Windows Phone division, has spoken out about Android Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS), particularly the People app. Similarities are present, which was noticeable in the Android ICS video we covered yesterday with Google heavily borrowing from other platforms. "It's always flattering when someone starts copying you. Fundamentally, their point of view is...
We lightly touched on the three screens dream of Microsoft back at the Worldwide Partner Conference in Los Angeles earlier this year. CEO Steve Ballmer wrapped up his speech with a slide that showed the tight integration between products, seen above. For a good example of the "three screens" vision, check out the RC-AirSim demo. Tim Carmody at Wired has published a superb write up of...
It seems that The Guardian has taken design elements from Metro UI after releasing their Windows Phone app and have applied them to their just-released iPad newspaper. Don't mistake this for a mere copy as the app looks superb on the big screen and does Metro proud. I see this as well as future implementations with other apps on Apple's platform as a positive sign for Windows Phone.When...
This is for all developers and designers out there who strive to produce only the best looking apps for Windows Phone. Jeff Wilcox, developer of 4th&Mayor and Senior Software Development Lead for Windows Phone, was discussing design principles with two members of the Windows Phone design team when he was introduced to a grid the team has been using on the platform. The grid is a set...