<p>The built-in apps should show off how good Windows 8 apps can be. Today, they just highlight Metro limitations</p><p>I complained earlier this year that the inclusion of ads in certain apps that ship as part of Windows 8 cheapens the OS, and it does. But the bigger problem for Windows 8, for now, is that these built-in apps, which include productivity, entertainment, and informative titles, are immature and in many cases borderline useless. If Microsoft is serious about promoting the Metro environment, it should be working aggressively to fix its own apps first.</p><p>In this series, which focuses on ways in which Microsoft can and should fix Windows 8 in the coming year and well before the next major release of its OS, I've tried to stick to high-level issues, and not get bogged down in minutia. So while many reading this will have very specific issues with certain Metro-style apps in Windows 8, I will try to keep this at a reasonable level. For example, "fully implement POP3 support in the Mail app" is too specific, while "support modern and standardized protocols in Mail, Calendar, Messaging and People is not.</p><p>Of course, I'm only human. And I have some very specific needs and wants when it comes to these mostly incomplete apps. I'm sure you do too. Productivity/communication apps: Mail, Calendar, People, Messaging</p><p><a href="http://winsupersite.com/windows-8/fixing-windows-8-part-5-built-apps">Keep reading...</a></p>