If you want to connect a scalable cloud backend for your Windows 8 Apps, check out the just announced Windows Azure Mobile Services. Here are some useful links to get started:
1. http://www.windowsazure.com/en-us/develop/mobile/
2. http://weblogs.asp.net/scottgu/archive/2012/08/28/announcing-windows-azure-mobile-services.aspx
3. http://channel9.msdn.com/posts/Introduction-to-Windows-Azure-Mobile-Services
You can sign up for for the free trial or add Mobile Services preview to your existing subscription.
The Mobile Services SDK contains WinRT APIs that can be accessed from C++ /CX too. In a not so distant future, I will blog about how to connect a simple C++ /CX app with Windows Azure Mobile Services.
Stay tuned and happy exploration until then!
-Sridhar
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