BrickHub for Windows 8

 

  • BrickHub for Windows 8

    Posted by Huw, 29 Nov 2012 09:32. Filed under Software/Games.

    Made the jump to Windows 8 yet? No, I haven't either; I'm not sure there's much point on a desktop machine. But if you've just bought a new laptop or Surface tablet with Windows 8 on it, you'll want to take a look at this app that hooks into Brickset's web services.

    Brick Hub is a Windows Store app allowing the user to browse information about all old, new and forthcoming LEGO sets and LEGO themes by utilizing online web services. It provides access to set pictures, set information as well as downloadable instructions for each set (where available). Furthermore, it implements searching through the Windows 8 Search charm. And, it allows the user to associate his or her's Brickset account to store and modify personal owned and wanted lists. Finally, it facilitates sharing of set information with other apps and people through the Windows 8 Share charm. You can download it from the Windows Store.


    13 comments, latest one posted 6 months ago. (Commenting has ended on this article)
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Comments

Posted by PsyKater in Germany, 29 Nov 2012 10:00

Now I have to buy a Windows 8 Tablet.... ;)

Posted by mattbaer in United States, 29 Nov 2012 10:10

I'll have to check that out.
I have Win8 running on my laptop. It took a little time to get use to the metro ui but I am really liking it.

Posted by TH3_L3G0_G3N1U5 in Canada, 29 Nov 2012 11:34

What about windows phone 8? Just picked up a lumia 920 for myself and love it so far.

Posted by zipsforbananas in United Kingdom, 29 Nov 2012 12:58

You're spot on with Windows 8 not being worth it for a desktop by the way. I got a laptop on the day it came out - great for the speed and capacity, but the operating system has been infuriating! I'd add laptop to the list of things it's not worth it for, as mine isn't touch screen. I've had to download a real start menu that has the ability to disable to hot corners, and I try to use as few full screen apps as possible. I'm sure it's great on a tablet, but it really grates on a laptop!

Posted by toon10001 in United Kingdom, 29 Nov 2012 14:32

^i found it to be bad on anything. id rather eat a lego brick... whole.

Posted by jonbuddy in United States, 29 Nov 2012 15:45

Win8 is a fine OS, but I wouldn't dare upgrade my wonderful desktop, even if I do have a touch screen monitor. I love it on my laptop, though.

Posted by Matthew in United Kingdom, 29 Nov 2012 16:40

After much debate I've finally ordered a Win8 Laptop, but I'm really not sure if I'll come to regret it...

I also agree with Huw that there isn't a lot of point upgrading from a perfectly usable OS to one that has had more criticism than all Windows versions (98 - 7) put together...

Posted by RikTheVeggie in Canada, 29 Nov 2012 17:39

That looks quite pretty and well-featured, especially for version 1.0. Keeps the rest of us Brickset-compatible app developers for other platforms on our toes trying to keep up with each other :)

Posted by Stacy in Australia, 29 Nov 2012 18:33

I've been using Win8 on my desktop for a few weeks now, and will never look back. It's like buying a smartphone, it's something you'll never stray away from. Off to the store now.

Posted by CatsDontLikeWearingHats in United States, 29 Nov 2012 23:16

It has a Windows 7-like desktop mode, so there's little difference than what you may have now. It also operates in portable mode, which is enhanced by using touchscreen. The cool thing is this OS has just blurred the line between the web and the desktop. It runs web applications written in HTML/Javascipt/etc. as "desktop" applications. Brickset's app is actually cutting edge design, and one in the first wave of these new apps for Windows. Neat stuff.

Posted by beegeedee in Ireland, 30 Nov 2012 03:44

I upgraded my old laptop to windows 8 from windows vista. it used to take about 3 minutes to boot but it now takes about 15 seconds including the bios checks at startup and I have the new start menu showing in under 30 seconds once logging in. The laptop is old - the video isn't supported correctly but works well enough for what I use it for.

for 30 euro/25 pounds (??)/40 dollars it's totally worth having a look. I even put it on my desktop as I liked it but I did and upgrade rather than clean and performance is not as good but way better than even windows 7 - I have loads of junk on my machine like web server and sql server so it's no surprise it's slower.

The UI may put you off but there's the desktop and one click and it launches...fast. The other downside for me was that there is no XP mode. Virtual PC is only supported on newer processors - you need an i3/5/7 processor.

Will be checking this app out.

Posted by absolutelylez in United Kingdom, 30 Nov 2012 16:17

This app is beautiful but of course it needs more features for me to consider it as a replacement to going to this website !!

Posted by Gatanui in Germany, 30 Nov 2012 18:58

@Matthew: Bashed, not critiziced. That's a difference. Seriously, most of the "critics" fail to see the advantages and only see the downsides which really aren't any. Personally I don't miss the old start menu at all and I'm very fond of the new start screen and the new UI, although I stay within the realms of the desktop most of the time.

The app crashed two times because there was too much to load and scrolling doesn't work with my trackpad but besides that, it's great and I'm sure I will find good use of it. :)

-Gata

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