The Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute will host a grand opening for their new Microsoft Application Development Lab from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. next Thursday. The lab is currently open for student use.

Over the next month, the lab will launch projects that will be further studied after the release of Windows 8 in late October.

The lab is home to about a dozen pieces of technology to check out, including ultra books, tablets and smartphones. After the Oct. 26 release of Windows 8, the lab will have about 45 pieces of new technology.

This year for the RJI annual competition, students will be able to work on projects that are designed to develop the latest, most useful technology. This year they will be using Windows 8 as a tool.

RJI Executive Director Randy Picht said he thinks this new lab will help create more interesting projects.

“RJI provides the latest and greatest technology to students and faculty,” Picht said. “Our projects are innovative because we get to use the best tools at the best time.”

This year, students will be developing new apps with the goal to produce news in a more timely and quick matter. RJI Futures Lab Director Mike McKean said the new Windows 8 accessibility creates an access to a third major player in mobile application development.

“This will give our faculty, staff and students more tools and the ability to compare platforms for producing and distributing news and advertising,” McKean said.

To receive all the tools MU needs, Microsoft has spent approximately $100,000 to help remodel, furnish and provide proper technology for the new lab. Every 18 months, Microsoft will upgrade the technology. In order to help the lab run smoothly, Microsoft and the Mizzou Advantage program are funding a full-time programmer for the lab.

One new tool the lab contains is an Xbox 360 equipped with Kinect. This gaming system will help students develop new ways to use gaming. McKean said one of the projects they already have planned is for students who are in computer science and medicine to help develop a game to help female athletes to fix knee injuries through Kinect.

This new lab not only provides a new gaming system but also new access to Microsoft brands that were not readily available before. Picht said he believes by bringing in a new brand of technology, students will be taught by a broader spectrum.

“I think that Apple has a lot of wonderful things,” Picht said. “But I think that having the new things that Microsoft is doing will lead to different sort of projects. Maybe Microsoft is doing some cool things, and this is an opportunity to see a really significant tool.”