Blick.ch launches Windows 8 application

The Blick app is optimized for the new Windows design and allows users to consume the entire variety of Blick.ch in a simple and user-friendly way, whether with a Windows 8 tablet or on a stationary PC. With the Windows 8 app, the Blick Group is expanding its attractive portfolio of applications. Already available are the Blick app for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone 7 as well as the iPad applications Blick HD and Sonntagsblick HD. In the sports sector, the Blick Group has already launched applications for football, tennis, ice hockey and alpine skiing. The new Windows 8 application is available immediately free of charge in the Windows Store.

Martin Fessler, Head Digital Media, talks about the new app in an interview:

How did the Blick Group manage to set up this cooperation with Microsoft and present the new Blick app at the same time as the worldwide launch of the new Windows 8 operating system?
We have had a very good relationship with Microsoft for a long time and were involved in the launch of Windows Phone 7 from the very beginning. Last March, Microsoft approached us. Initial discussions took place on the subject of Windows 8. Shortly after that, I decided to develop an app for the new system in time for the launch.

What are the advantages of this cooperation?
The good cooperation with Microsoft enabled us to be present in the store from the very beginning. Our developers were supported by Microsoft experts throughout the entire implementation process in building up know-how and developing the design and usability, which we greatly appreciated.

Are further collaborations with Microsoft planned?
I look forward to further successful collaborations. Currently, the focus is on the launch of the Windows 8 app.

What are the features of the Blick app for Windows 8? On which devices does it run?
In terms of content, the app offers the entire broad spectrum of Blick.ch. The design of the app is based on the typical Windows 8 tile elements, which gives it a light and clear look. The focus was clearly on simple operation with gestures and swipes, as expected on touch-controlled devices.

The app runs on all devices that use Windows 8 i.e. from desktop PCs to notebooks and the new Windows 8 tablets. It is now available for free download from the Windows Store.

Microsoft is also launching a new tablet with Windows 8 and is competing against Apple's iPad. Is there any chance of success given Apple's enormous market presence?

With Windows 8, Microsoft has developed an operating system that offers new innovative features and has the potential to win over part of the tablet market. I am thinking especially of the seamless integration of Office products, which makes the system very interesting for business users. There are real opportunities in this area, as the possibilities go much further than with an iPad. Microsoft is by far the largest operating system provider and this naturally results in great opportunities as far as the distribution of Windows 8 is concerned. It is the most important launch for Microsoft in its history and probably the last chance to gain a foothold in the mobile sector. The prerequisites are there, now the market has to decide. I hope that Microsoft will succeed and that we will have three big players in the mobile market in the future.