DO most of you use the Start screen Metro Apps?

gizbug

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Been using WIndows 8 for over a month now, and since I have Start8, I can honeslty say, I never really use any of the metro apps. I've downloaded a few (ie netflix, Cnet) but at the end of the day, just find it easier to open google chrome, and go to the website. What are others opinions on the apps and your usage?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    CPU
    Intel i7
    Memory
    Gigabyte P8Z68
Nope I barely use them at all. I used them a couple of times when I first installed windows 8, but then they were too buggy (sometimes wouldn't open at all, crashed all the time), and their interfaces were just weird and too different. I'm a fan of metro, I switched back to 7 just yesterday to get ready for 8. I actually miss the speed of 8, and I used metro as a quick launch screen. But metro apps are awkward.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8/Windows 7
    CPU
    Fx-4100
    Memory
    4GB DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 6870 1GB
I use the following Modern UI apps:

Calendar
Mail
Messaging
People
Weather
News
Finance
Sports
Bing
SkyDrive (I use the desktop SkyDrive as well)
Google
Wikipedia
Dictionary.com
iHeartRadio
Slacker Radio
Skype
Remote Desktop
Team Viewer

Google, Wikipedia, and Dictionary.com all integrate with the search charm, by the way, which I really like.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Server 2012 Standard w/Hyper-V
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ProBook 4430s
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-2310M
    Memory
    16GB DDR3
    Hard Drives
    80GB Intel 320 SSD
    500GB Samsung Momentus
On my personal laptop I use Apps all the time and am always checking out new ones to see what they do. Many are not that good but this will change just like it has on Windows Phone, Apps will get better with more features and better designs but it's early. I like some of the simple puzzle games I find, also all the Apps I have used are free.

For my work laptop I don't have many Apps as not many for business use exist yet. I have weather and news apps and one App that actually aggregates Windows Infrastructure diagrams (Exhange, SharePoint etc) with links to TechNet. Has come in handy for some quick reference checks without having to go searching Microsoft's site.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7, Windows 8 RP
Been using WIndows 8 for over a month now, and since I have Start8, I can honeslty say, I never really use any of the metro apps. I've downloaded a few (ie netflix, Cnet) but at the end of the day, just find it easier to open google chrome, and go to the website. What are others opinions on the apps and your usage?

Some apps are great! For instance, the calculator, the weather, and the Cut the Rope game!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 RTM
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    G860
    Motherboard
    H61
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    G310
I play a few games. Minesweeper, Backgammon, Majhong, etc.. I like the OneNote MX app, and the Messenger app. I also use the Mail app with Hotmail (I like to keep my various accounts in different places). I use weather quite a bit, and the Stocks app.

They're basically largely replacements for the old Gadgets I used to have.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    CPU
    Intel i7 3770K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77X-UD4 TH
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 1600
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX 650
    Sound Card
    Onboard Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Auria 27" IPS + 2x Samsung 23"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440 + 2x 2048x1152
    Hard Drives
    Corsair m4 256GB, 2 WD 2TB drives
    Case
    Antec SOLO II
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000
    Mouse
    Logitech MX
I embraced the metro apps pretty wholeheartedly from the get go. I use quite a few. Yeah, some apps are pointless and it's easier to go to the site, like YouTube for example.

I use:
USA Today
Tom's Guide and Hardware apps
Finance
Bing Weather
Xbox Music (liking it more now)
Movie Guide
SimTrader
Custom Tile Pictures (fun Start Screen decorating of pictures)
Newegg (I tend to use the site more though)
ReddHub (a friend introduced me to Reddit, the internet hasn't been the same ever since)
Messaging
People (trying to figure it out more)
Skype
Pinball (freaking love it!)

The main reason I love having apps on Windows 8 like this is because some of these apps I have, I have on my Windows Phone. I buy into the idea of having multiple devices to browse content. If given the choice, you'd probably go with a PC that has a large monitor, a full keyboard and mouse with vastly faster hardware and internet speeds versus using a four inch smartphone. That's just me. I like the notion that my PC has more capabilities than before, as I use my desktop PC for literally everything other than calling people, which may or may not change if I use Skype more.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    ASUS
    CPU
    AMD FX 8320
    Motherboard
    Crosshair V Formula-Z
    Memory
    16 gig DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS R9 270
    Screen Resolution
    1440x900
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Seagate Barracuda (starting to hate Seagate)
    x2 3 TB Toshibas
    Windows 8.1 is installed on a SanDisk Ultra Plus 256 GB
    PSU
    OCZ 500 watt
    Case
    A current work in progres as I'll be building the physical case myself. It shall be fantastic.
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooler with 3 heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K750 wireless solar powered keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Touch Mouse
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, but I might go back on KIS 2014
one App that actually aggregates Windows Infrastructure diagrams (Exhange, SharePoint etc) with links to TechNet. Has come in handy for some quick reference checks without having to go searching Microsoft's site.

What is that one?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Server 2012 Standard w/Hyper-V
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ProBook 4430s
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-2310M
    Memory
    16GB DDR3
    Hard Drives
    80GB Intel 320 SSD
    500GB Samsung Momentus
Nope, I don't use them. I played with quite a few of them, but they are so limited from a functionality standpoint and like all metro apps cannot be resized to fit nicely on my monitor that I found them to be useless.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-Built in July 2009
    CPU
    Intel Q9550 2.83Ghz OC'd to 3.40Ghz
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R rev. 1.1, F12 BIOS
    Memory
    8GB G.Skill PI DDR2-800, 4-4-4-12 timings
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA 1280MB Nvidia GeForce GTX570
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC899A 8 channel onboard audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Acer x233H
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Intel X25-M 80GB Gen 2 SSD
    Western Digital 1TB Caviar Black, 32MB cache. WD1001FALS
    PSU
    Corsair 620HX modular
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    stock
    Keyboard
    ABS M1 Mechanical
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser Mouse
    Internet Speed
    15/2 cable modem
    Other Info
    Windows and Linux enthusiast. Logitech G35 Headset.
i use alot of apps netflix google crome, toms hardware newegg, a bunch of games like pinball and angry birds space,i hart radio tom and Jerry and a bunch more. to may to list out at the moment
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
They're all garbage, and I have uninstalled them all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8.1 Pro, Desktop Mode
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    AMD FX-8150
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
    Memory
    8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 (9-9-9-28)
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD Radeon HD 6570
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium
    Monitor(s) Displays
    PX2710MW
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080@60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1x1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-00J7B1 ATA Device Caviar Black -

    4 x 2TB Seagate ST32000542A -
    1 x 4TB Seagate External
    Case
    Antec
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14
    Keyboard
    Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740
    Internet Speed
    60meg cable
    Browser
    Cyberfox
    Antivirus
    AVG Security Suite
Nope, I don't use them. I played with quite a few of them, but they are so limited from a functionality standpoint and like all metro apps cannot be resized to fit nicely on my monitor that I found them to be useless.

Yes. And the 1024x768 as minimum res is exaggerated because there is too much EMPTY space with fullscreen simple apps. It was reserved for future development perhaps.

Even on a HD monitor I'd say most apps can/should be able to display in 800x600. It's not that is needed but would be more logic (for resize maybe?) with too much empty space.

So the easiest what to disable a app: go under the 768p height with any resolution.
You need specific RT tablets and surfaces to display apps properly, older netbooks need resolution hacks.

Anyway, we desktop users are always more convenient with desktop applications.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
When I was using Windows 8 with dual 24" wide-screen displays, I made ample use of the re-designed snap feature, where I would have a Modern UI app snapped to the small end of the screen, with the desktop (and thus multiple windows and the Desktop UI snap) on the larger end. I think it's just a matter of being flexible in your approach and thinking.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Server 2012 Standard w/Hyper-V
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ProBook 4430s
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-2310M
    Memory
    16GB DDR3
    Hard Drives
    80GB Intel 320 SSD
    500GB Samsung Momentus
one App that actually aggregates Windows Infrastructure diagrams (Exhange, SharePoint etc) with links to TechNet. Has come in handy for some quick reference checks without having to go searching Microsoft's site.

What is that one?

This one...

Server Posterpedia app for Windows in the Windows Store

This App actually benefits from a larger monitor but it would be nice if you could just pan around with the mouse rather than the scroll bars.

EDIT: Just found that it has its own website. Server Posterpedia
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7, Windows 8 RP

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows Server 2012 Standard w/Hyper-V
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP ProBook 4430s
    CPU
    Intel Core i3-2310M
    Memory
    16GB DDR3
    Hard Drives
    80GB Intel 320 SSD
    500GB Samsung Momentus
I installed Opera, and stuck to whats left of the start bar at the bottom, and all I use is opera and file explorer.

TBH I never even used the start menu in Windows 7, I use file explorer + desktop shortcuts.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel I7 980
    Motherboard
    Asus Rampage III Extreme
    Memory
    12 Gb Geil Ultra Series
    Graphics Card(s)
    KFA2 Nvidia GTX 670
    Sound Card
    Creative X-Fi Titanium HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer G24
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1200
    Hard Drives
    Crucial M4 128 Gb + 512 Gb SSDs
    2 x Samsung 2 Tb HDDs
    PSU
    Tagan BZ-1100
    Case
    Antec P182
    Cooling
    Phanteks ph-tc14pe
    Keyboard
    Microsoft sidewinder X4
    Mouse
    Gigabyte M8000X
    Internet Speed
    7.2 Mbps HSDPA
They're all garbage, and I have uninstalled them all.

Pretty much the same here. I don't use MS for any of my daily activities (Mail, Messaging, People...BING???) so I deleted all the original bloatware and just pinned all my frequently used apps to the Metro screen.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    My Brain
i use the basic ones, like weather, sports, news, etc but I also just as well use my customized google home page to show all the same info in one place.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro ($39.99 upgrade)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    Intel I5 3570K overclocked to 4.2ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus P8Z77-V LX
    Memory
    Cosrair DDR3-1600 (4 x 4gb)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GeForce GT 610 2GB
    Sound Card
    None
    Monitor(s) Displays
    AOC 27" LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1920x0180
    Hard Drives
    Seagate HDD 500gb (windows)
    Seagate HDD 1.5tb (media)
    Seagate HDD 1tb (media)
    Seagate HDD 1tb (media)
    PSU
    CoolMax 700watt
    Case
    Cosiar R400 Carbide series
    Cooling
    Cool Master H212
    Keyboard
    Dell
    Mouse
    PowerUp 3 button mouse
    Internet Speed
    12mb down, 1mb up
    Other Info
    qty. (5) 120mm fans, four are monitored by motherboard.
    Logitech T650 Touchpad for touch screen gestures
No. I used them, but just to try them, Will never use them again. With probably the only exception of the Music app. I love it snapped, but I wish I could search for artists when it's snapped. So, I probably won't use it anymore.

I don't like running apps in full screen. Only thing I run in full screen are my games.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
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