Microsoft has updated six of its applications for Windows 8

Microsoft continues to improve the applications it offers with the Windows 8/RT operating system. Now six pieces of software have received an update Five of them are already available in the store (Financial , News , Maps , Sports and Travel), while the weather app update is rolling out and will be available to everyone in the next few days.

These applications have been developed by the Appex Bing team, which uses mainly, but not exclusively, Javascript and HTML 5.The improvements in each of them vary in terms of depth, although the configuration and customization possibilities have been improved in all of them.

h2. App improvements for Windows 8/RT

h3. Finance

Now includes a real-time updated list of stock price changes, and interactive charts that can be customized.

h3. News

This application is the one that probably incorporates the most notable novelty: support for RSS feeds, which can be read offline. Now that Reader is about to disappear, it is an option to consider, although there is still a way to go before it can be considered a replacement for the Google application. In addition to this, we can organize and customize the news by categories, themes or sources.

h3. Maps

Adds the possibility of obtaining directions for driving or walking routes, as well as notifications of traffic incidents, including problems due to works or accidents. We can also save specific sites as favorites and pin them to the home screen.

h3. Travels

Includes new travel proposals based on information provided by Lonely Planet, Frommer and Frodor.

h3. Sports

An additional 29 sports leagues have been added, for a total of 65 sports.

h3. Time

The application adds support to dynamically move weather maps of our city or region in various categories: satellite, temperature, precipitation, overcast skies, and radar.

h2. Microsoft Applications for Windows 8/RT, a way to go

While it is true that the applications that are installed by default with the operating system began their journey with a certain sparseness of functions, over time they are gaining many features that make them increasingly attractive.

When a new product is launched in the IT sector, it always gives the impression that there is some rush at the debut and some features and applications are pinned down in order to be on time.

With the passing of the months, features are being incorporated that complete the initial deficiencies. It would have been extraordinary if software like the one we are looking at had had another degree of maturity at launch.

There is a lot of potential behind some Modern UI proposals, but they arrive a little slowly.The months that we have ahead can be exciting seeing how features are being added to certain applications that contain good ideas, but that have debuted with very fair features. Better late than never.