8 Reasons Why Windows 8 Will ROCK

We're sure you've heard a lot of buzz about Windows 8.  But is it really going to be that cool?

The short answer is yes. 

Want us to prove it?  Here are 8 reasons why Windows 8 will totally rock your world (plus, Kansas City, we're giving you the opportunity to build on Windows 8 before anyone else FOR FREE!).  

The Charm Bar.

1. Geek Out with the Charm Bar 

Looking for your home-base START button?  You won't find it on Windows 8!  Instead, you'll find something called the Charm Bar.  The Charm Bar is a universal toolbar in Windows 8 that can be accessed from anywhere no matter what you are doing or what application you are running. It is similar to accessing background applications in Apple's iOS devices. The Charm Bar is made up of 5 main elements: Search, Share, Start, Devices and Settings.

2.  Run Awesome Apps 

Running apps on Windows 8 is a different experience than running them on Windows 7.  For one, browsers will allow touch-based controls like pinching, zooming, copying, and pasting as well as sharing, searching and additional settings in the Charm Bar. 

Apps can be run side-by-side.  In other words, you can do more all at once.  Watch a video and your news feed at the same time.  IM your best friend and play a game almost simultaneously.  Browse the web and write an email.  Dock an app to one side of the screen and dock another app on the other.  

3.  Run Awesome Apps Faster 

One of Windows 8's most beneficial features is its increased performance.  Skeptics fear that the interface will actually bog Windows down due to more processes.  Don't fear--Microsoft has addressed that fear.  Windows 8 will have better performance than Windows 7, especially when it comes to boot times.  

4.  Dream within Your Desktop 

The Windows 8 desktop.

It may not seem like it, but the desktop is one of the most important features of Windows 8.  And it's also one of the most unique.  Although the traditional desktop (i.e. what you would see in Windows 7) will still be alive and well, there will be some changes.  For example, the taskbar will only show apps that you have pinned.  Windows 8 will also feature an updated Control Panel, Task Manager and Windows Explorer.

5.  Organize your Life with the Home Screen

The home screen on the new Windows 8 platform looks a lot like the home screen on a Windows Phone.  Displayed is a set of tiles, each of which represents an application (as well as information that correspond with the app.  For example, if you have 3 event notifications, the number 3 will pop up near your calendar tile).  Rearrange the icons as you see fit just as you would do on any phone or tablet. 

Windows Store.

6.  Shop 'til you Drop in the Windows Store

The Windows Store looks a lot like the home screen, as tiles correspond to different categories and apps.  The store contains touch-based apps for tablet interfaces as well as traditional desktop Windows apps that you may be more familiar with.  No matter what interface you're using, there will be just one portal to conduct your discoveries.  

Currently, the Windows Store is full of free apps from Microsoft and many other partners.  Once Windows 8 is open to the public, more apps will be available for purchase.  The biggest benefit of the Windows Store is the ability to try apps before you buy them!  After you give an app a test-run, Windows allows you to download the full version without losing your place in the app or a re-installation. 

7.  Back Up on the Cloud

We all know that the cloud is a pretty big deal.  That's why Microsoft has built a cloud platform to correspond with Windows 8.  In Windows 8, your Microsoft account will drive all of the syncing--from address books to photos, from your data to third-party apps.  Plus, you can access the cloud on any Windows 8 device--just log in!  

8.  Simplify Your Life!

Windows 8 is just plain nifty!  With other awesome features like system-wide spell-checking (this writer's dream!), system-wide search features, "refresh your PC" buttons and extremely streamlined (and gorgeous) aesthetics, it's no wonder users everywhere are anxiously awaiting Windows 8.  

Now that you know all of the reasons that Windows 8 rocks, how can you get it? 

The bad news is, you can't...yet.  Windows 8 will not be available to the public until October 26, 2012.  

The good news is that Kansas City developers, entrepreneurs and startup founders have the opportunity to build on Windows 8 before anybody else!  Think Big Partners and Microsoft will be hosting Azure Cloud and Windows 8 App Kickstarts, a 2-day event that will give Silicon Prairie developers a first-look at Windows 8 and Microsoft Azure.  The event is completely free of charge and will take place October 16-17, 2012 at 1800 Baltimore, Kansas City, MO.  To register for the free event, click here.  Act fast!  Space is limited and will fill up quickly!  

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Build Better Apps with Kauffman App Training Lab

Do you have an idea for a killer app? If the only thing that stands in your way is not knowing how to build a mobile app, get ready to break that wall down. The Kauffman Foundation is hosting an App Training Lab that will give you all the tools you need to be an app building rockstar! 

This six week event will start on Thursday, October 4^th at 5:30pm. It is open to anyone who wants to learn how to build an app. If you’re not a programmer, don’t worry! All you need to bring to the class is and iOS device and a laptop.

If you have some knowledge about programming and can’t commit to a six week course, there will also be a four week course for the more advanced students. Since each week will build off of the previous week, Kauffman asks that you are able to commit to each class. Agenda info is available here.

The best part about this whole educational series? It’s free! All you have to do is register. So don’t wait any longer.  Sign up today and learn how to build apps!  

Be One of the First to Develop on Windows 8 and Microsoft Azure Cloud

Think Big Partners has teamed up with Microsoft to create and host Azure Cloud and Windows 8 App Kickstarts to educate startups and developers how to effectively utilize and build on Microsoft Azure and Windows 8 platforms.  The free event (tickets are limited) will take place at Think Big Partners’ coworking space, bizperc, on October 15-17, 2012.  And trust us when we say that is a developer's dream event come true.  

These App Kickstarts will be a key opportunity for developers, hackers, coders, entrepreneurs and startups to learn how to build apps on Windows 8 and deploy to the Microsoft Azure Cloud platform before the Windows 8 becomes generally available to the public on October 26, 2012.  With over 90% of the market share, the Windows operating system has remained one of the top platforms for development to date.  This limited event will provide attendees with a head start on building new, innovative applications on one of the most powerful operating systems and cloud platforms in the world, Windows 8 and Microsoft Azure.   

On October 16, 2012, the first official day App Kickstarts, participants are invited to learn how to build, deploy and manage applications across the Microsoft Azure platform.  Attendees will be educated on how emerging businesses can best leverage Azure through CMS systems, how to create and scale customer websites in PHP and Node.js, how to deploy code updates using GIT, how to run Azure Windows and Linux VM’s, how to store data in Azure, and how to use Azure’s many platform services including Queues, Service Bus, and Authentication.  Microsoft engineers will also be on hand to provide consulting, insight, and mentoring for participants.  Attendees must bring a laptop and sign up for Azure prior to the event.  Developers may sign up for the Azure 90 day free trial.  Startups and entrepreneurs who qualify for BizSpark should sign up for BizSpark and activate an Azure account prior to the event. 

Startups and entrepreneurs are also invited to learn about the Microsoft BizSpark Program and how to use its 2,000 partners in order to connect with incubators, investors, advisors, government agencies and hosters.  

On the second day of App Kickstarts, participants will be invited to learn how to build Windows 8 Metro style apps using HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript.  Attendees will be educated on Windows 8 navigation, user experience patterns, inherent async design and integration.  The day will be focused around building new applications on the Windows 8 platform.  Microsoft engineers will also be present at the event to provide insight, mentorship and expertise in order to help participants.  Attendees must bring a laptop and install the RTM version of Windows 8 prior to the event. 

Before the official event on October 16, attendees and the Kansas City tech community are invited to attend a cocktail hour on Monday, October 15, 2012 from 6:00-9:00pm.  At the cocktail hour, attendees will have access to technical evangelists and representatives from Microsoft who will answer Windows 8, Azure and BizSpark questions.  Event attendees are also encouraged to bring a laptop if assistance is needed loading the Azure or Windows 8 trial platforms.     

On October 18, 2012, attendees are also invited to participate in a one-on-one question-and-answer session with Taylor Cowan, Microsoft’s startup evangelist.  Taylor will be available to answer questions about Windows 8, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft BizSpark and how to engineer a product over the multiple Microsoft platforms. 

“Given Microsoft’s rich history and technological power, this event will truly give developers and hackers a leg up in the industry,” said Blake Miller, local Kansas City developer at Think Big Partners.  “In the startup world, things move pretty fast.  Having the opportunity to be one of the first to develop on Windows 8 and Azure while being able to ask questions and receive answers directly from the source will not only put the startups we work with on the map, but all of Kansas City on the fast track to success."

This free event offers the Midwest an opportunity to "get in front of" the technology curve, or at least keep pace with parts of the country like Silicon Valley, NY, Boston and Austin. According to Gartner & Morgan Stanley research, smart phone technology adoption moves very fast. "A few years ago, there was no real "smart phone" market - it was an iPhone market. Apple owned the space. Android changed all that. Today, there are legitimately 2 platforms for developers to roll out apps that get used by the world's consumers," said Herb Sih, Managing Partner of Think Big Partners. "We believe Microsoft will create the 3rd platform that will disrupt the app marketplace. There is room for another player, and I would not bet against them given their focus, talent and market presence in the world of today's consumer. Smart developers ultimately figure out that it matters what their customers think, what they do and where they go. That is what drives app revenue."

The Microsoft Azure Cloud and Windows 8 App Kickstarts will take place October 15-17, 2012 at bizperc, located at 1800 Baltimore in Kansas City, Missouri.  This event is free to register.  Space is limited and we expect to have high demand.  Entrepreneurs, startups, developers, and hackers are invited to register for the free limited event at www.microsoftkickstart.eventbrite.com.  

Your mobile app is one out of 500,000. How will yours get found?

There are a lot of apps.  No one cares about yours.

Ever feel this way?  If you’re an app developer or mobile entrepreneur, chances are, you have.  And we don’t blame you.  There are 500,000+ different apps in the Apple Store alone.  Chances are, yours won’t stand out.

But Juggernaut Interactive, a creative technology lab based out of Omaha, Nebraska, is looking to change this mentality.  This young, Midwestern startup is dedicated to helping to bring new ideas into fully-functioning online communities...and getting people to care about them.

Founded and run by Brian Daniel and Tom Duggin, Juggernaut Interactive was launched after its two co-founders noticed an overwhelmingly broad opportunity in the mobile space one year ago.  Lucky for the two (and the entire Juggernaut team), the company is ahead of the app curve by about six months (which is huge in the app industry). 

“More things are moving to mobile,” says Brian Daniel, CEO of Juggernaut Interactive, “it’s an extremely compelling business.”

Juggernaut specializes in incubating product ideas (such as mobile apps) and prepping them for “production phase”.  As soon as an app is ready, it goes through a process run by Electric Human.  Electric Human is the space where Juggernaut designs innovative concepts and builds prototypes, platforms and services that they’re passionate about.

Juggernaut’s most recent creation is an app known as Due Date, which will be rolled out soon.  The app is a stork delivery game which will be featured in the Apple Store in just a matter of weeks.   According to Brian, Tom and Laurin Hogan, interactive producer at Juggernaut, the app is different from other mobile games in the market because it is nurturing rather than destructive.

But Juggernaut’s genius goes far beyond app game development.  The company, although only a year old, has helped build apps and other tech developments for national brands such as Werner Enterprises, Omaha Steaks, All State, Geico, Hard Rock, McDonald’s and more. 

Juggernaut Interactive, along with its Electric Human platform, hope to continue to grow in the mobile and app development space for other national brands.  Want to follow Juggernaut’s successes?  Follow Juggernaut online at http://juggernautinteractive.com/.  

Think Big's Gigabit Challenge Winner Kauzu Launches Kauzu.Biz Application

Think Big's Gigabit Challenge winner, Kauzu, has announced the development of Kauzu.Biz, a new job search application for the Chicago area.  Find out more: 

Alderman Patrick J. O’Connor of Chicago’s 40th Ward will unveil the Kauzu.Biz business application on Tuesday, August 28th, at 10:00am in a press event at Mather High School, 5835 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. Alderman O’Connor, Chair of the City Council Workforce Development and Audit Committee, is pleased to support Kauzu, a Chicago-based social venture providing free location-based job tools and free job postings for small businesses.

“In all of my years of working for the people of Chicago,” Alderman O’Connor stated, “I’ve worked with the private sector and kept an eye out for innovative ways to help the community thrive. When I learned about Kauzu and the ease with which their tools can help connect jobseekers and local businesses---I knew I had to get behind it. I encourage all businesses, job seekers, and Chicagoans in general to support Kauzu, and its innovations aimed at promoting job creation and retention.”

Kauzu.Biz is the employer’s portal to the Kauzu.Jobs jobseeker application, a free job search tool that pinpoints jobs by a user’s location. Kauzu.Biz allows small businesses to post unlimited jobs for free. Kauzu.Biz connects businesses with local jobseekers, reducing turnover by hiring employees with shorter commutes. Kauzu.Jobs and Kauzu Kono, a text‐based application that works on any cell phone in Chicago to locate open job listings near a job seeker’s location, were launched earlier in August.

According to Kauzu CEO Mitch Schneider, “We think employers are ready for an application with unlimited free listings, that helps them hire local, cut turnover and generate repeat business, and that creates the sustainable economic development that helps every family and business in the community. And we’ve built it.”

A City of Chicago Proclamation noting Kauzu’s achievements will be read at the event, and Kauzu will present Alderman O’Connor with a certificate of appreciation.

At the event, the Alderman and Kauzu will recognize six local supportive Chambers of Commerce whose members will learn more about Kauzu.Biz-- Edgewater, Lakeview East, Business Partners—the Chamber for Uptown, Lincoln Bend, Lincoln Square, and the South Chicago Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, three nonprofit partners will be recognized—the Albany Park Community Center, where Kono was launched on August 7; Centers for New Horizons, where Kauzu.Jobs was launched on August 15; and Goldie’s Place, a support center for people who are homeless, located in Chicago’s 40th Ward. Additional attendees at the event will include representatives from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Small Business Development Center and from Streetwise, a Chicago area publication assisting men and women facing homelessness.

Looking to learn more?  Visit www.kauzu.com for all of the latest info!

Follow Kauzu! @KauzuInc
Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

If the App Fits, Download it: Introducing peerFit

This is it—your year to get fit.  You purchased your new tennis shoes, you joined the local gym and you even gave in to buying those outrageously priced $22 dri-fit socks that the salesman at the Nike outlet somehow suckered you into.  Now, it’s finally time to take a look at the gym’s fitness class schedule and pick your poison.

And then you reach a state of pure panic.  Your eyes skim the gym’s online class calendar with confusion. Zumba...what the heck is that?  Instructor Michael McThrowdown...is he going to kill me?  Yogalates?...I can’t even pronounce that!

After questions such as these, you might give up on the fitness classes all together and opt for the monotonous 45 minutes on the elliptical.  Bummer.

Ed Buckley, President of peerFit.

Ed Buckley, Ph.D. student in the department of Health Education and Behavior at the University of Florida experienced this same problem...only he decided to fix it.  As a group fitness instructor in Gainesville, Buckley knew he taught a great fitness class, yet no one seemed to show up.  To draw people in, Ed decided to start writing exercises on the whiteboard in the classroom so gym passerbys could take note of what to expect during classes.

This small, seemingly insignificant change drew in more people than Buckley was prepared for.  Suddenly, people in the Gainesville gym wanted to be social while working out.  Ed Buckley immediately saw a need...and that need became known as peerFit.

peerFit is a free online and mobile app designed to allow users to quickly search and filter through workout options to find a class that best suits their individual needs.  The peerFit program has been developed in order to give users a more interactive platform for discovering and researching new workout classes within a particular area.  The app alone has not only helped gyms go social, but has inched users closer toward their fitness goals.

“Thirty percent of people are more likely to keep working out if they get into the right class,” says Buckley.  “We want to help people find the right class and then allow them to share the classes that they like with others.  People like to share their workout experiences—and prove that they went to classes!  It empowers them and it’s one of the greatest parts of the health realm.”

In other words, peerFit helps perpetuate the fitness “circle of life” that makes most apps (not to mention fitness regimens) so successful.

There’s more to peerFit than meets the eye.  The app and mobile site incorporate an interactive calendar, workout uploads, instructor reviews, class reviews and overall class recommendations too.  Currently, the app is in Beta launch with a full peerFit marketing campaign to launch September 1, 2012.  The campaign will take place in Tampa, Atlanta and Jacksonville, however, any gym in any city is able to download and give peerFit a try today.

The founders of peerFit.
Source: Gainesville.com

As part of its mission, peerFit has helped to make gyms more social and connect people to one another through fitness.  So it comes to no surprise that Buckley immediately brought on three business partners (which also happen to be his good friends) to help launch and grow the app.  The peerFit team is currently made up of four partners including Buckley, Rex Tullius, Matt Redinger and Scott Peeples as well as public relations specialist, Anastasia Revzina.

The team has been working tireless hours (on top of fulltime jobs, grueling swim practices and never-ending graduate school lectures) in order to see that peerFit is the best app it can be.

“I think the coolest thing about this process is that it has been beyond a fulltime job for us, but we are still able to run it as students and professional athletes,” says Buckley.  “We love to be busy, we love going 100 miles per hour and we love meeting people.”

Ed Buckley and Rex Tullius came all the way from Florida to visit
 Think Big Partners and to learn more about Kansas City's startup resources.

During the app’s build phase, the peerFit team somehow found enough time to survey over 10,000 potential users about the impact that the app could have.  According to results, 77% of surveyors believed they would be more motivated to try a new class if they could read about the workout ahead of time.

“It’s important for us to take a step back and look at peerFit from an outsider’s perspective,” says Rex Tullius. “We are all about picking people’s brains.  Those potential users know how to make the product better.”

What can we expect from peerFit in the coming months?  Other than its mega marketing campaign hitting in the southeast in September, we can also expect a rollout of the full mobile app and website at the beginning of September.

“I am proud of the process we have built,” says Buckley.  “We love meeting with different gyms and getting to know people.  That’s what makes us unique.  But the truth of the matter is great athletes, great musicians and great entrepreneurs just aren't ‘normal’.  We are obsessive.  Running a startup is difficult, but we love it.  We may get criticisms 10, 20, 30 times over, but we always come back with more passion to move forward.”

Keep an eye out for peerFit, the fitness app that’s making major waves, this fall.  To learn more or to get your gym involved with the app, visit www.peerfit.com.


Follow me! @AllisonThinkBig

GoMobileKC Recap: Mobile Entrepreneurs & App Developers Ready to Change the World

“We live in a different world now…do you guys see it? The world has changed and as a result of it we have to change.”  These were the opening words from Vince Vaughn, CEO of Why Status Quo and host of the GoMobileKC mini conference last Thursday.  GoMobileKC was a component to One Week KC, a 9-day endeavor to make Kansas City the most entrepreneurial city in the nation. 

This event brought in app developers and mobile entrepreneurs from around the Midwest who were ready to do exactly what Vaughn stated at the beginning of the conference—change.  More specifically, the attendees were ready to create change for others through the use of mobile technology.  The conference also showcased two of the city’s best mobile talent—Captain Dan Stratman, mastermind behind the Airport Life app and Kirk Hasenzahl, CEO of Rarewire. 

The old adage, “Do what you know” was all the inspiration Stratman needed to create his app in 2010.  As a former pilot, he utilized his knowledge of the airline industry as his competitive advantage among the pre-existing airline apps and since then has seen it grow to 21,000 downloads without any formal marketing.  Stratman advised the crowd that creating an app was a long and frustrating process full of challenges.  He noted that if an entrepreneur decides to develop an app, it’s important to be passionate, learn everything there is to know about the business world, use marketing, learn technology and most importantly, do not be afraid to ask for help.

Hasenzahl’s inspiration did not come from a quote but rather a device; Apple’s iPad.  The size of the screen spawned the idea for his company Rarewire, which provides a service that allows others to create apps without being a programmer.  With 10 billion app downloads in 2011 and an expected 185 billion downloads in 2014, it is no doubt Hasenzahl joined the right industry two years ago.  “It’s a gold rush,” he said, “and you want to be the guy selling the shovels.”  Hasenzahl predicts industry growth within app promotion, rich media ad service, and mobile/app security and promoted inspiration for individuals pondering the app world to get out there and go for it.

The conference ended with the announcement of an iPad 3 winner and what Vaughn described as a “Town Hall meeting” type discussion.  Attendees and speakers were able to interact through open forum and share expertise on various components of the mobile industry. 

Want to see what you missed out on? Check out Why Status Quo’s live stream from the conference!   

A Must-attend Event for App Developers, Mobile Entrepreneurs and One Week KC Attendees

In just a few days, Why Status Quo is hosting the event for app developers, mobile entrepreneurs and One Week KC attendees.  It's called GoMobileKC and it is the city-wide nerve center for startups to learn, share and lead in a mobile paradigm.

With two guest speakers, audience interaction and loads of expert advice, GoMobileKC is the premier mobile business event taking place during One Week KC.  Attendees are sure to walk away with insight, knowledge and education about the mobile sphere that they may not get at any other One Week event.  The event will feature practical, yet uncommon advice for entrepreneurs, app developers and business leaders interested in taking the leap into the mobile world.

Hurry!  GoMobileKC will take place in just a few days.  The event takes place on June 21, 2012 at bizperc (1800 Baltimore) from 7:00-9:00PM.  Reserve your spot and register today for a ticket to this one-of-a-kind event.  Register here and get mobile!

Follow One Week KC for the next 8 days and get in on the entrepreneurial conversation!  #1wkc