Windows 8? There are apps for that. At least, there will have to be for Microsoft’s whole new OS to catch on. Luckily for Microsoft, key services like Netflix are already prepared for the Windows Store.
The Netflix Windows 8 app will be available for free from the Windows Store, but also comes pre-loaded on a range of devices. The app provides the same access to its content and features users expect, with the benefits of the new Windows 8 platform thrown in.
For starters, the app can be accessed directly from the Windows 8 start screen with no need to visit the website. The layout follows that of the tile-based UI of Windows 8 and users can browse content from left to right using touch, a mouse or a keyboard.
Windows 8 features like Semantic Zoom, which lets users pinch to zoom out and get a wider view of the menu, and Snap View, which allows for two apps to be opened up alongside each other, have also been incorporated.
For navigation, a ribbon menu with access to the home screen, Top 10, new releases and the selection of genres is available in key areas in the app.
The video player, which offers HD playback where available, has been made more efficient by bypassing browser plug-ins, which not only means smoother playback but also less strain on your device’s battery.
Windows Store opens today in 231 markets worldwide and, for Windows 8 to take off, Microsoft needs to ensure users can get access to all the services they both want and need. While it’s crucial that brands like Netflix are on board, the Windows Store has a long way to go to catch up with the 700,000-odd apps available for iOS and Android. However, the key advantage for developers adding this platform to their repertoire will be the wide range of devices they can target with Windows 8 and Windows RT.
