14 DAY TRIAL // Several Windows 8 apps are getting a new pack of improvements as part of what seems to be a quiet update schedule ahead of the public debut of Blue due in June.
Microsoft hasn’t said a thing about this new batch of enhancements, but updates for several Windows 8 Metro apps are now showing up in the Store for adopters of Microsoft’s new operating system across the world.
The “Games” app, for example, got its own set of updates today, with the release notes pointing to a new home panel that provides information about recent game activity, messages, achievements and friends.
In addition, this new build lets you view and browse games screenshots and check and send text messages to friends.
WinBeta.org also writes that the Finance app has been improved too, even though an update for this particular tool is yet to be delivered to our Windows 8 computers.
In addition, MetroStore Scanner, an unofficial service that monitors the Windows Store, is reporting updates for some other apps, including News and Travel.
Microsoft is currently giving the final touches to Windows 8.1, the first Windows 8 upgrade, internally codenamed Blue and expected to see daylight in the form of a public beta in June.
If reports on the matter are true, Microsoft might release 8.1 in August or September, with Windows 8 users to be allowed to download and deploy it at absolutely no cost.
According to a few leaked builds that reached the web in the past weeks, Windows 8.1 packs a lot of improvements, some of which are supposed to make the operating system a bit more familiar.
It’s not yet confirmed but word is that Microsoft is even pondering the return of a Start button, one of the features that have been removed from Windows 8 before its official launch.