How to View Up to Four Apps At Once in Windows 8.1′s Modern UI

 

One of the best new features of Windows 8.1 is the ability to split your Modern UI screen between up to four apps, and with the Windows 8.1 update, you can now open and snap apps side by side for efficient multitasking. The function is still limited by your screen resolution — you get a window for each 500px horizontally on your machine. This means that if your device’s native resolution is 1920 x 1080, you can only have 3 side-by-side apps [3 x 500=1500 pixels]. For those with 1366 x 768, you're still stuck with 2 apps at the same time.

But even then, default display settings can prevent you from using more than two windows concurrently. If your screen resolution is at least 1500 pixels-wide, here’s how to make sure you are using the right settings to open up to four apps at once.

1. Type “Display” anywhere on your live tile home page. This brings up a search for “Display”.
2. Tap “Display Settings” from the results on the right.
3. Hit the dropdown arrow under More Options.
4. Select Smaller if you see that option. If your only other option is Larger, your device is already set to its widest resolution.

You should see your content decrease in size, and have more tiles on the Start screen at once. Now you’re ready to snap as many apps side by side as your device will allow.

Free XBox Games on Windows 8

Still on the fence as to what to actually do with Windows 8? As Microsoft starts to expand the XBox brand to go beyond just the console itself and its games and more into other infrastructures [XBox Video, XBox Music, and Xbox Games for Windows at the moment] to better cope with the changing preferences of the computing public. People may still not like the whole Metro/Modern UI, but for casual users, the various apps available in the Windows 8 store would definitely get to suit a lot of people's needs.

As with The Gunstringer being made free for a limited time last January, the Windows 8 app store is providing a few more XBox games for free. Previously included as paid apps, it is time to grab these free goodies while they're free. One might think that these are piss poor apps, but these are Miniclip-made games, and Miniclip has done a great job of porting their games from the browser to the various mobile platforms. In particular, I've been playing Gravity Guy when it was earlier released for Android and the transition to this new platform has been seemless.

Since these games are included as XBox Games for Windows, these also include the standard 200 gamerscore for achievements, so that's an extra incentive for players to boost their gamerscore-slash-bragging rights a bit.

Included below is the screenshot for reference. One can access these games through the Store app, and/or the Games app on your Windows 8 Start Screen.

The Gunstringer free for Windows 8 until January 28 PST

Using Windows 8 but has not found too many games to play with [at least, for free]? It has been reported that Temple Run would soon be ported to Windows 8, but while waiting for the smash hit from Imangi Studios, there's another game that deserves some attention. 

The Gunstringer is currently available for Windows 8 users and for free until January 28 PST. Go back to the Wild West as you go off on a dead run to complete the story mode, or when you're more up to it, the endless run mode. 

Also, it should be noted that Windows Live/XBox users can get additional gamerscore [although its quite low compared to regular XBox titles] by getting achievements in-game.

For more information, here's the game description from the publisher themselves:

Hit the trail at a dead run as you race through three sprawling Wild West locations and 15 levels as the Gunstringer, the legendary skeleton cowboy marionette bent on vengeance. But as the ol’ saying goes—if you climb in the saddle, be ready for the ride! Avoid deadly obstacles, take aim in fast-action shootin’ challenges, collect tasty loot, and battle outlaws—all while being pursued by the hands of Hell!

Complete the level-driven Story mode, and then challenge friends for braggin’ rights and loot payouts in three Endless Run levels. Exchange hard-earned loot for new customization options such as weapons, power-ups, and more to aid in the Gunstringer’s quest for the evil bandit!

I gave it a go yesterday in one of our work crashboxes and I was hooked. Time flew by and it is not just about running, since it adds a slight wrinkle to the genre, where you need to properly time your shots at certain parts of the game. 

In-game currency is either gold coins or the premium diamonds [which you can buy in-game]. You can unlock the various powerups and customizations without having to fork over real dough, which is always a welcome plus. 

So if you're on Windows 8, this is a must-grab especially while it's free.