As Windows 8 comes closer to its Oct. 26 release date for public, Microsoft said Friday that it would be releasing updates for Windows 8 built-in apps.
The company listed various additions and updates it will be providing before the launch of Windows 8. It revealed the details in a blog post Friday.
"We're super excited to be approaching general availability (GA) of Windows 8 and Windows RT," Steven Sinofsky, president of Windows, said in the blog. "With thousands of new apps in the Store, there are a lot to choose from and tens of thousands of developers have been very busy around the world creating new apps.
"Across Microsoft we've been busy since August adding new features and improving the apps that come with Windows and will be updating these apps before GA. We'll introduce new features, improve performance, and increase reliability."
Microsoft's Gabriel Aul presented the list, providing information about the specific details of the upgrades. These upgrades will also be available for PC manufacturers when they start shipping the new Windows 8. It will be available for Windows 8 RTM users too.
The updates listed in the blog include SkyDrive, mail, messaging, photos, maps, news, travel, weather, Bing, finance, gaming and sports, among others. The Bing app update will let users use varied search results for both local content and images. Users can zoom on a search result that will show up related queries.
The Maps app now comes with bird's eye view, more than 3,000 indoor venue maps, driving directions, improved navigation and layout.
The SkyDrive updates will let users search within the SkyDrive function, allowing to rename and move folders.
Some of the upgrades to the apps will start from Saturday, while others will come over the week.
