Windows Store | UA - User Agents
Standards Based Development
Windows Store App
A windows store app is a type of application that runs on Windows 8 devices. Unlike traditional desktop apps, a windows store app has a single, chromeless window that fills the entire screen by default, so there are no distractions. Windows Store apps work smoothly with a variety of input sources, using a single set of events for all. Windows Store apps can talk to each other via App contracts. Windows Store apps use tiles instead of icons.
Windows Store App Controls and ui Surfaces
The App Bar
The App Bar is the primary command interface for an app, outside of the app window; it is used to present navigation, commands, and tools to users. The App Bar is hidden by default, appearing once a user swipes from the top or bottom edge of the screen. Once exposed, The App Bar covers the content of the Windows Store app and is dismissable by the user with an edge swipe, or by interacting with the app.
Charms
Charms are a specific and consistent set of buttons in every Windows Store app (search, share, connect, settings, and start) which are core scenarios that every user wants to do. Users can:
- Search for content in an Windows Store app or another Windows Store app, and can search one Windows Store app's content from another app.
- Share content from an Windows Store app with people or services.
- Go directly to the Start screen.
- Connect to devices and send content, stream media, and print.
- Use settings to configure the Windows Store app to desired preferences.
Windows Store meta / Elements
| Name | Content |
|---|---|
msApplication-ID | Required. Package-relative app ID from the application manifest. Used to link your site to your app. |
msApplication-PackageFamilyName | Required. Package family name of the app created by Microsoft Visual Studio when the app is published. Used to link your site to the store. |
msApplication-Arguments | Optional. Argument string passed to your app. By default, Internet Explorer passes the URL of the webpage, but you can use this to pass a context-relevant string. |
msApplication-MinVersion | Optional. Enforces a required minimum version for the installed app. If the user tries to switch from the webpage to an outdated app, he or she is first taken to the Windows Store to update the app. |
msApplication-OptOut | Optional. Allows pages to opt out of all or parts of this functionality:
|
Semantic Zoom
Semantic Zoom is a touch-optimized technique used by Windows Store apps in Windows 8 for presenting and navigating large sets of related data or content within a single view.
Note: Semantic Zoom functionality is analogous to panning and scrolling (which can be used in conjunction with Semantic Zoom) within a single view.
Semantic Zoom uses two modes of classification (or zoom levels) for organizing and presenting content. The low-level (zoomed in) mode is typically used to display items in a flat, all-structure. The high-level (zoomed out) mode displays items in groups and enables a user to quickly navigate and browse the content.
Semantic Zoom uses pinch and stretch gestures, or by holding the Ctrl down while scrolling the mouse scroll wheel, or by holding the Ctrl (with Shift if there is not a numeric keypad available) and pressing the + or - key.
Note: don't confuse Semantic Zoom with optical zoom; optical zoom refers to the adjustment of magnification for a content area or object such as a photograph.