Microsoft just announced Universal Apps at BUILD 2014 , its developer conference in San Francisco. Universal Apps is a new initiative that will allow developers to create apps that work across devices, including computers, phones, and tablets .
David Treadwell, CVP of Microsoft, revealed during the event's keynote that every app to date has to be further customized to fit the device it's installed on, so it will be an incredible experience to have apps that run seamlessly across all devices, whether they're PCs or smartphones.
Microsoft said that all software developers will have the ability to create apps specific to all types of devices, to optimize the final experience they offer to the user.
But the announcement of the day and the one everyone was waiting for was the official presentation of Windows 8.1 Update 1.
Update 1 comes with improvements that are mainly aimed at making the modern operating system more suitable for desktop computers, which do not have touch screens. Thus, the update brings shortcuts for the classic Control Panel in the PC settings screen throughout the modern UI.
At the same time, it brings new menus to the start screen that resemble traditional menu options, making it easier to use Metro with a mouse.
Another major improvement in Windows 8.1 Update 1 is the addition of options to pin Metro apps to the taskbar, so they can be launched without having to go to the Start screen.
Windows 8.1 Update 1 will be released on April 8.
