Windows Champions Archives - Page 2 of 2

Windows 8 Fotor App Complete Photo Editing Power #WindowsChampions

June 6, 2013 by Momstart 1 Comment

Last month I spent some in depth time with Microsoft at a Press Event where we learned quite a bit about using Windows 8 and how there are quite a few apps worth checking out. The apps that interested me the most will pump up the volume in my photo editing skills. Last week I showed you an app called Adobe Photoshop Express, and this week I want to share with you the Windows 8 Fotor App, it’s free.

With Fotor you can create collages and priceless photos with the greatest of ease. To make a collage all you have to do is open the app and then choose the photos you want in your collage. Keep the number of photos small, if you go too large Fotor will tell you that you’ve selected too many fotos. For my first collage I kept it simple and only selected six photos. I used some photos from my press trip to Arizona for the Bloggers Go Girls. If I wanted to share it all I have to do is slide over from the right of the screen and the share charm will pop up and then I have my options of how to share it on-line. EASY!

Switching out photos and moving them to different frames within the college was so easy, and since Windows 8 is all touch you can do it all with your fingers, or a combination of the keyboard and touch screen. With editing photos, this app is amazing and so much more impressive than instagram. I made this photo of my daughter just by pumping up the color a little, adding a boarder and a little text.

Then I took a picture of myself and used the Effects and a few of the scenes to create these looks.

The original photo:

Angel’s Kiss, B&W Comics, and Concrete Wall.

Within the Black and White photo options there were about five different ways to turn your photo black and white. I chose the B&W Comics, because I liked how it made the light on my face look, I found it to be perfect out of the options.

These photos are Cool Blue, Cool Summer and Dawn Light

And these photos are Deep Blue, Kraft Paper, and Mini Oven

Some of the photos look so similar and it’s amazing how the lighting and color changes the feeling of the photo. I love this app because it’s so easy to edit in so many different ways and I can add text with different fonts and colors and it even has pop up windows that I can put the text in. You could use the Fotor app to create your own comic book stories.

The final six looks from top left to bottom right are nostalgic, my own creation using a combination of scenes and Nostalgic, Sepia glow, sparta, Vintage, and yellow wash. I think my favorites are these bottom six. The combinations of what you can do with a photo with Fotor is endless because like my own creation, you can change the degree of each effect, and then the hue, saturation, lighting, contrast. The Fotor app really does give moms endless creativity with photos.

Get Angry Birds Free Until May 15th Windows Phone #WindowsChampions

May 2, 2013 by Momstart 2 Comments

My son loves to play Angry Birds and I’ve even found it to be a little addicting once you start but don’t tell anyone. I told myself I wasn’t ever going to get Angry Birds, and I did a great job until the grandparents brought it into the house. Then my husband bought Star Wars Angry Birds for his phone and my son assumed that I purchased it for my phone too. Actually, I have a feeling he just thought it was free. I don’t have it. But I will because it’s free, Angry Birds is free on your Windows Phone.

Rovio has confirmed that a new, revamped version of the original Angry Birds will be completely free to download for the next two weeks, until 15 May. It is the full game too, not a cut back version, so you’ll be able to fling tiny feathered friends with special powers into evil round-headed pigs to your heart’s content. And what’s more, an extra 100 all-new levels will be available from the off too.

Free for a limited time only! Download before May 15th to get the full game for free! Use the unique powers of the Angry Birds to destroy the greedy pigs’ defenses! The survival of the Angry Birds is at stake. Dish out revenge on the greedy pigs who stole their eggs. Use the unique powers of each bird to destroy the pigs’ defenses. Angry Birds features challenging, physics based demolition gameplay with hours and hours of replay value. Each of the over 300 levels require logic, skill, and force to solve.

In addition, the Windows Phone 8 version will have Xbox Live integration, featuring leaderboards and achievements.

The new version of the game is a separate release to the first, so will not wipe over your original game saves. Rovio felt it needed to release it this way, instead of as an update because more work was needed on the app’s infrastructure. "The reason why we’re re-releasing the game is that it will be technically easier for us to support in the future, so we’re really happy to get this out there," the company said.

The Windows Phone 8 – The Easiest to Use Interface If You Ask Me #WindowsChampions

March 14, 2013 by Momstart 1 Comment

The Windows Phone 8 – The Easiest to Use Interface If You Ask Me

By: Ashley

It always seem like things happen all at once. Your appliances all break down at the same time, or everyone gets a cold bug, or, like what just happened with my family, everyone’s phone fizzles out at the same time. That just happened to my mom. I should start out by saying that my mom is a pretty young mom to have a kid as old as I am! She’s in her late forties and had being a Droid for a couple of years. A couple of months ago, it started to act up: missing text messages, not receiving phone calls, the normal “phone dying” symptoms. That’s when I got the call.

“Don’t you have a Windows phone?” my mom called and asked me. I was happy to say that yes I had enjoyed my Windows 7 phone for awhile. (Granted I was also in the phone market because my OWN phone was starting to fizzle out, but that’s a whole different story…) She started to ask me questions about how they worked and what I liked and didn’t like. The first thing I told her was that it was an extremely intuitive phone. While I haven’t personally owned a Win8 Phone, I know that the operating system Microsoft uses on their phones is super user friendly. I love how everything you want is right there on the home screen. With both iPhones and Droids, getting to your contacts and seeing updates from your closest friends and family members is a multi-step process. With a Windows 8 phone, it’s all right there.

I would actually go so far as to say, there is no other phone that allows you the high level of personalization that Win8 Phones do. You can have a ton of apps and programs on your phone but only fill your home screen with those you need regularly.

A few of the things that I didn’t like about my old Windows 7 phone have actually been fixed and upgraded. The camera on the new Windows 8 phone (Nokia Lumina 822) 8MP Auto Focus Rear–Facing camera with Carl Zeiss Tessar® Lens and Dual–LED Flash. There’s also now front facing camera! Now, I’ll be able to let my son Skype with his “Granny” using the phone! With links to SkyDrive, Hot Spot capabilities, and SO much more, I can honestly say that the Windows 8 Phones are something I can (and have) recommended to friends and family.

It’s true that Microsoft is still working to build a stronger ecosystem with social apps, and I’m really hoping they get there. After doing some browsing through the apps available, and having spent a lot of time with my own Win7 phone, there are still enough apps to do what you need to do.

It’s been almost a month now, and my mom is pretty in love with her Windows8 Nokia Lumina 822. Now I just need to get her to come visit so I can play with it!

More about the Windows 8 Nokia Lumina 822 from Verizon:

Camera

8MP Auto Focus Rear–Facing camera with Carl Zeiss Tessar® Lens and Dual–LED Flash (3264 x 2448 for 4:3 mode; 3552 x 2000 for 16:9 mode)
Wide angle lens f/2.2, 26mm – 16:9 28mm – 4:3, 1/3.2” camera sensor
1.2MP Front facing camera: f/2.4; Still images (1280×960)
Camera Formats: Animated GIF, BMP,GIF, PNG, JPEG,TIFF
Smart Shoot, Panorama, & Cinemagraph Lenses available via download from the Windows Phone Store
Photo Sharing: Facebook, Twitter, SkyDrive, and more

Video

Video Playback: Video Codes: H.263, MPEG–4, H.264, VC1. Containers: 3GP, 3G2, WMV, M4V, MOVFile. Formats/Containers: MP4, M4V, M4A, 3Gp/3G2, WMV
Rear–Facing camcorder – HD capture up to 1080p @ 30 fps
Front–Facing camcorder – HD capture up to 720p @ 30 fps

Music

Create and manage playlists
Formats supported: MP3, WMA, WAV, 3GPP, 3GPP2, AAC, AAC+, Enhanced AAC
Headset: 3.5mm audio jack
Nokia Music and Mix Radio gives you subscription–free streaming and offline listening

Bluetooth 3.0

Bluetooth Profiles supported: Stereo, Audio/Video Remote Control, Generic Audio/Video Distribution, Hands–free, Headset, Object Push, Phonebook Access Profile

Web

Windows Phone Store–More than 120,000 apps choose from, with hundreds added every day
Microsoft Internet Explorer 10 – HTML Browser
MS Exchange, Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, Windows Live Hotmail, POP3/IMAP
Games Hub-your on-the-go arcade. Dress up your avatar, message your Xbox friends, and see how your scores and achievements measure up.
Music + Videos Hub- Listen to your tunes, watch videos, subscribe to podcasts, and create Smart DJ playlists based on the music you love.
Full Suite of Nokia Apps: Nokia Drive+; Nokia Maps; Nokia City Lens; Nokia Music; Nokia App Highlights
Preloaded Verizon Apps: Backup Assistant +, Visual Voice Mail, My Verizon Mobile, NFL Mobile

Communication

Global Ready™
Simultaneous Voice and Data
Mobile Hotspot Capable (Supports up to 8 devices)
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n capable
NFC – Tap and Share with other NFC–enabled devices; Tap and Pair with compatible NFC–enabled Bluetooth Accessories Speakerphone
Speakerphone
Text, Picture, and Video messaging with threaded feature
Embedded ringtones, vibrate alert and silent
Calendar, Alarm Clock, and Calculator
Supported Languages: 50 (some via download)
Virtually limitless contacts (limited by 16GB on–board memory)
Assisted GPS and GLONASS
Hearing Aid Compatibility = M3/T4
TTY /TDD Compatible

Specifications

Dimensions

5.03 (H) x 2.69 (W)x 0.42 (D) inches
Weight: 4.99 oz

Network

CDMA1x/EV–DO Rev A, LTE/DO Rx diversity
Global Network: GSM (850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz), UMTS (850MHz, 900MHz, 1900MHz, 2100MHz)

Operating System

Windows Phone 8
•Live Tiles – Pin what matters most right on your Start screen and see everything that’s going on, as it happens
•Live Apps – A delightful innovation that puts the information you want right on your Start screen
•Seamless integration with other Microsoft products: Outlook, Office, OneNote, SharePoint, SkyDrive, Xbox and more
•Rooms–easy sharing of pictures, messages, calendar and more
•Kid’s Corner–grants your little ones access only to the apps, games, videos, and music you choose for them, so you can relax and let them play
•Data Sense – Track your monthly data plan, use less data while browsing the web, and find Wi–Fi hotspots when you’re out and about
•SkyDrive – With SkyDrive, your stuff goes wherever you go.
•Security – With Windows Phone, every single app is certified by Microsoft to make sure it’s safe and ready for your to download and protect you from malware.
•Office Hub – Work hard on the only phone that has Office Mobile built in so you can access, edit, and share Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents and OneNote notebooks with anyone

Memory / Processor

16GB internal memory (actual formatted capacity is less)
Supports up to 64GB microSD card (sold separately)
Dual core 1.5GHz processor & 1GB of RAM

Display

4.3”, WVGA, Nokia ClearBlack OLED Corning® Gorilla® Glass 2 display, 800×480 resolution, 24 bit, 16M colors
Display & Touch setting enables interacting with the display with gloves

Keyboard

Virtual Qwerty Keyboard

Battery

1800 mAh Li–Polymer
Usage Time – up to 15.07 hrs OR
Standby Time – up to 20.25 days

SAR

Head–1.23 W/kg; Body–1.03 W/kg

MomStart is a Windows Champions Blogger.

About Ashley – Ashley is a mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and former teacher working to navigate through the mysterious world of Mommyia. Read more about her adventures at Momicles and follow her@Momicles2010.

Five Fabulous Windows 8 Game App Picks for Boys #WindowsChampions #Windows8 #Surface

January 7, 2013 by Momstart 4 Comments

I call this that Five Fabulous Windows 8 Game App Picks for Boys because these are Miles picks for the week. I know Miles’ picks for the week because we have a report sent to us every week from Microsoft Family Safety that tells us his entire computer usage in an e-mail. My husband and I both receive a copy for each kid. Here are the games he loves to play.

Agent P Strikes Back

The kids like playing this game because they recognize the characters from the popular Disney Channel series ‘Phineas and Ferb’. The basic theme of the game is to guide Perry aka "Agent P" through this action-packed, side-scrolling adventure! You try to locate the other missing agents as you battle robotic guards and double jump your way through Doof’s complex.

Jetpack Joyride

Not only do the kids enjoy this game but my husband and I spend quite a bit of time playing this video game. Game Description: Suit up with a selection of the coolest jetpacks ever made and take to the skies as Barry Steakfries, the lovable hero on a one-way trip to adventure! Join Barry as he breaks in to a secret laboratory to commandeer the experimental jetpacks from the clutches of science evildoers. Rain bullets, bubbles, rainbows and lasers downwards as you fly towards higher and higher scores! Along the way you’ll collect coins, vehicles, powerups and more, all of which can be upgraded and customized in the Stash. Want to dress up like a ninja? Paint your Profit Bird gold? Grab your robot pal Flash to come along for the ride? The choice is yours! Stay alive, get funky and lose yourself in Jetpack Joyride. There’s so much to see and do, all the time in the world and more than enough jetpacks! As always, Barry Steakfries will provide!

It’s quite a bit of fun, and addictive. You want to get farther and farther every time. My husband enjoys e-mailing me his stats directly from the game on his Surface. He uses the share charm from Windows 8 as he’s playing the app.

I just flew 1,721m in a brilliant game of Jetpack Joyride on Windows. Try to beat that!

Where’s My Perry

Where’s My Perry is a challenging physics-based puzzler where you need to use water in all its different forms, ice, steam and liquid, to solve the puzzle. Overflowing with intuitive controls, vibrant spy-themed graphics, and best of all, lasers, you will be immersed in the world of Agent P! It’s fun watching Miles wrack his brain to get the water to flow the correct direction. I’m not very good at helping him so I told him to keep trying and he would get it. And he does.

Draw a Stickman EPIC

Draw a stickman, then guide him through a fantastic world of adventure! Using an assortment of pencils, draw elements, tools, and weapons to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles.
Draw a Stickman Epic could be compared to an adventure game, RPG, or puzzle game, but the unique drawing mechanic is unlike any game you’ve ever played before! From drawing a rain cloud for growing plants to drawing fire for burning bushes, you control all aspects of your environment. Explore diverse environments and encounter unusual creatures as you draw your way through 3 levels (and 2 more bonus levels). Each level is filled with hidden secrets and achievements. Grab a pencil and dive into the world of Epic!

Pinball FX2

I LOVE playing pinball and I’ve been playing Pinball FX2 on my own log in on our Windows 8 devices. It’s fun, my only dislike is that you have to purchase more tables, you can’t just earn them. Game Description: Pinball FX is back, and it is better than ever! Pinball FX2 offers brand new tables and a host of new features and improvements, including a new state-of-the-art physics model that surpasses anything available so far.

Here is his full Microsoft Family Safety report for Miles. It details his app usage and if he’s tried to view any webpages and allows me to make restrictions. Plus his restrictions are connected to his log in and not the device he’s on.

I’m a Microsoft Windows Champion.

Five Great Entertainment Television Windows 8 Apps #WindowsChampions

December 27, 2012 by Momstart 70 Comments

I’m really enjoy my Windows 8 devices and as a Television addict I love that I can watch some of my favorite shows easily. We were able to watch Extreme Home Makeover and Charlie Brown’s Christmas episode on the ABC Player App for Windows 8. I’ve also downloaded the TBS App for Windows and have been looking at a few more. So here is a list of Five Great Entertainment Television Windows 8 Apps.

ABC Player: Watch your favorite ABC series. The app now remembers your viewing history and allows you to resume an episode from where you left off.

TBS: Watch. Laugh. Share. Get exclusive clips from the funniest TBS comedies served up on all of your Windows 8 devices. Share the laughter with your friends or save your favorites to watch later. Watch show clips, behind-the-scenes videos and exclusive trailers for Conan, Family Guy, Cougar Town and many more with just a touch. Thousands of hilarious clips are at your fingertips and free to watch without annoying logins or registration. Pin and share your favorite videos and get up-to-date schedule information on all TBS programming. Just don’t expect to watch full episodes in this application, because it doesn’t have them.

Hulu Plus: Offers unlimited instant streaming of current hit shows and movies and acclaimed movies. Watch current season episodes of shows like Modern Family, New Girl, Family Guy and many more. Requires subscription. New to Hulu Plus? Try it FREE.

CW: Watch full episode and clips of your favorite CW shows. With The CW Network app, you can watch full episodes and clips of your favorite CW shows. Catch the latest from The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, Supernatural, 90210, America’s Next Top Model, Hart of Dixie, and Nikita, plus new shows Arrow, Beauty and the Beast, Emily Owens, M.D., The Carrie Diaries and Cult. For more info on the app, visit http://cwtv.com/thecw/apps

ESPN: The ESPN app for Windows 8 offered on desktop and tablet provide sports fans all the things they need to stay up to speed on the latest games and love about ESPN in a single place. Get up- to- the -minute scores, news, and analysis for all your favorite teams, leagues, and players. Access rich, in depth content from the leader in sports. Download the ESPN app for Windows 8 for a deeper sports experience than ever before!

I’m a Windows Champion and receive occasional perks.

I Made The Switch to Windows 8 #WindowsChampions

October 25, 2012 by Momstart 20 Comments

I’ve been using Windows 8 for a few solid weeks, not sure exactly how many but I think it’s been over a month. I feel very comfortable and the transition was quite easy for me. We made a backup of all my files, upgraded to the full Windows 8 and I’ve been working successfully every since.

What Do I like?

My computer runs faster and feels more organized. I love the look and feel of all the programs. I love seeing my programs on the start screen and moving over to the side to see even more apps and programs. I can see updates on my friends right there on my start screen.

I love the app feel. I can download apps, games and still have all of my regular programs. I have the latest version of Office and I’ve been uploading everything directly to my skydrive so I have access to my files no matter where I am. it was actually helpful last night. I was at church and asked for some files and I didn’t have my computer on me and I didn’t have a car to run home and get the files so I just logged into my skydrive and downloaded the documents onto the computer at church and viola I was done. SkyDrive: Access your files anywhere at any time

I’m still able to edit video. I just purchased a pricy video software and was worried that it wouldn’t work on Windows 8, well not true and an unfounded worry. It works great, I’ve been creating really awesome videos with the help of my husband. He’s been using the software on his machine too and of course he’s running Windows 8 too.

I don’t have a lot of apps yet but I’m going to be looking into more. Currently I have the Kindle App, the Cocktail flow app, the game Wordament and another game called Speedwords. My husband and I are pretty excited with out the Xbox app is integrated and there are some games you can play on your PC now to earn more points on your Xbox live gamer tag. Built-in apps like People, Mail, Photos, and Messaging power you through all your essential tasks and work together for a single, streamlined experience. The Microsoft app store continues to grow and improve. More about apps

I love using a mouse with Windows 8. I used to laugh at people who had laptops and a mouse. Not anymore, the swipe of a mouse now moves the screen to the left or right. If you move it to the right then I get my video or picture app. Then if I move it to the left I get the Search, share start, devices and settings. Also at anytime that you want to go to a particular app, just hit the start button on your keyboard and then type the name of the device you want. Just type it, if you have a dialog box or not and then your app options will come up as you are typing, click it and then it will open on your desktop. Your desktop should feel just like Windows 7, at least it does to me. Keyboard shortcuts like alt tab still work.

In Windows, even the little things are all about you. Like the screen that appears when your PC is locked—it can be any picture you choose. And you’ll see quick notifications on your lock screen before you sign in to your PC or open a single app.

With picture password, you can sign in by tracing a pattern on a picture of your choice instead of typing a password. Zigzag over your dog’s face? Three taps on your child’s nose? The choice is yours. Get a Microsoft Account: Prior to buying your new Windows 8 device, you will need to make sure that you have a Microsoft Log-In (this is the same username and password for those you with email addresses that end in Hotmail.com, Outlook.com, Live.com, A windows live ID will work). If you don’t currently have a Microsoft Log-in please set one up you’ll need it when you buy your Windows 8 device.

What I don’t like?

It really makes me wish I had a touch device. But I want a touch device with a keyboard that will also allow me to edit video and use Windows Live Writer. My husband was looking into buying me a Microsoft Surface and I told him what I wanted it for and he said then I need to wait until January, because the current versions of the Surface do not have Windows Live Essentials. I LIVE on Windows Live Essentials. I often use Movie Maker and Live Writer is used all day every day. It’s my work surface.

So I’m on the lookout for the perfect touch device.

Get it Now

The Windows Blog has announced pre-order for a copy of Windows 8 Pro for $69.99 USD and select Windows 8 PCs, in advance of Windows 8. For more information, please check out the blog, which includes participating retailers, supported countries and OEM partners pre-selling Windows 8 devices plus a feature story on the OEM Newsroom on upcoming PCs hitting shelves later this month. Now if you can wait remember that you can visit a Microsoft store and purchase it and ask any question you might have about the new software. · The Windows and Microsoft Facebook pages are also a good source of information and the latest news!

I’m a Windows Champion and receive products to review.

Meet Windows 8 In Bellevue Friday, October 26th #WindowsChampions

October 24, 2012 by Momstart 7 Comments

I’ve been using Windows 8 consistently for over two months now and I love it, and I can’t wait until I get my hands on a touch screen device. Is a touch screen required? No, As I said I’ve been using it and loving it on my ThinkTank and on another HP machine. Works Great, Works Fast, Works Fun!

What’s exciting is that Friday, October 26^th Microsoft will release this newest version of its Windows operating system, Windows 8. With the excitement just days away, you are invited to join us at the Bellevue, WA Microsoft retail store on October 26^th to see the latest Windows 8 devices, including Surface.

Their store experts will be on hand helping you guys get up and running on their newest Windows 8 devices and giving people the best out-of-box Windows 8 experience you’ll find anywhere. The Microsoft retail stores will host ongoing free drop-in Windows 8 training sessions in the theatre area of the store, so customers can get the most of their new Windows 8 device.

It should be a lot of fun.

I’m a Windows Champion and was provided with this information to share with you

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