Microsoft has rolled out the first universal apps for Windows and Windows Phone, allowing users to buy an app once and play it on phones, tablets and PCs. The first two paid apps to take advantage are Microsoft own Halo: Spartan Assault and 17 Bit Skulls of the Shogun. Both games cost $4.99 and can be purchased through either the Windows Store or Windows Phone Store,. Strangely, the games Windows Store listings give no indication that these are universal apps. But when you view their Windows...

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Canonical today is releasing Ubuntu 14.04, a Long Term Support LTS edition for desktops and servers and an update to the versions of Ubuntu for phones and tablets. LTS editions are released once every two years and receive five years of support from Canonical and thus gain wider adoption in businesses than the less stable server and desktop editions that come out every six months. Canonical eventually wants to create a single operating system that can be installed across desktops, phones, and...

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This capability is designed to help you maintain closer contact with users to inform them of new features, bugs youve addressed, as well as get feedback and ideas to improve your app. This capability is not to be used for marketing and does not provide you as the developer with the users personal information, such as an email address. At this time, developers will be able to respond to reviews posted from Windows Phone 8.1 devices, as well as reviews posted from Windows Phone 8 devices in the US...

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Microsoft recently announced that developers would soon be able to respond to user reviews of their apps and games. This new feature allows app developers to address common questions, troubleshoot issues, understand user requests for new app capabilities and overall help ensure that users get the best app experience. This capability is not about allowing developer to question or debate your personal opinions. In fact, developers who misuse the ability to respond to app reviews will lose the...

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Most of us can only dream of having the perfect personal assistant, one who is always there when needed, anticipating our every request and unobtrusively organizing our lives. Cortana, the new digital personal assistant powered by Bing that comes with Windows Phone 8.1, brings users closer to that dream. For Larry Heck, a distinguished engineer in Microsoft Research, this first release offers a taste of what he has in mind. Over time, Heck wants Cortana to interact in an increasingly...

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There were two big announcements involving Windows Library for JavaScript WinJS this year at build 2014. One revealed MS Open Technologys work to make WinJS cross platform and open source. Developers are now able to bring the personality of Windows apps to other browsers and devices. For more information, check out Maria Kangs post. The second highlighted the release of WinJS version 2.1. With Windows Phone 8.1, we are proud to announce that the WinJS is now available on Phone. WinJS 2.1 tailors...

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Besides Windows 8.1, the Maxpad includes its own software programs for taking screenshots of TV shows that can then be manipulated by the included art program. Those images can then be sent instantly to a user social network account. There;s also a DVR feature that allows users to rewind live TV shows as much as 150 minutes in the past. The ShowMeTech website has more information on the Maxpad, which took Apeknearly two years to develop and make before this week launch. Maxpad also includes a...

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The Windows Phone Preview program, introduced last October, gives our developer community access to prerelease builds of Windows Phone updates before the operating system updates are made generally available to consumers. We make these updates available to you to enable on device testing, and to enable you to build and test platform capabilities not present in the emulator. For the majority of developers, we know that it is critical for you to see your app running on a physical phone prior to...

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