Mastering Modern Apps: 4 Ways They Can Work for You

PC World It's time to give Windows 8's modern-style apps some respect. Admittedly, some Windows Store apps are inferior to their desktop cousins. But many others take advantage of the full-screen modern (also known as "Metro") interface to provide a different and better experience. With an open mind and a little TLC, your Start screen can be a great resource. Here are four ways you can get the most out of modern apps.

1. Get the best modern apps

These five apps are free and provide a compelling reason to visit the Start screen.

Flipboard--This beautifully designed "personal magazine" app has been a staple of tablets for years and has recently arrived at the Windows Store.

Facebook--Another new arrival, needing no further introduction.

Wikipedia--Though it closely resembles the traditional browser view, this Windows 8 app has a level of design and polish that makes wasting time on Wikipedia more fun than ever before.

Netflix--There's no shortage of ways to stream content from Netflix these days, but the app for Windows 8 is the easiest, most attractive way to do so from your PC.

Toolbox--The quirky Toolbox is designed to give you quick, multitasking access to a number of useful tools, such as a calculator, a clock, and a weather report.

2. Build a dashboard of at-a-glance Metro Tiles

A clear advantage Modern apps have over regular applications is their "live tile" functionality, which displays information directly on the Start screen without having to open the app. These five apps make the most of the new visual scheme.

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Mastering Modern Apps: 4 Ways They Can Work for You