Windows 8: How to turn off iHeartradio and Calendar screens?

I just got a new laptop with Windows 8 on it, and I had been playing around with the new os, but when I clicked a couple things on the start window (specifically iHeartradio and the Calendar), they opened up in their own screen, if that makes sense, similar to the different desktops of mac laptops and many of the newer smartphones (mainly iphones).

Anyway, the point is that I have no idea how to close them, and on the specific laptop I got from HP - the HP ENVY m4 Entertainment PC - has a feature on the mousepad with a silver ring around it. When I run my finger along the ring along with the mousepad (usually accidentally), it switches to the other applications I have open (thus the annoyance of the issue). Does anyone know how to close them? I've tried doing so from the start window and the applications themselves, but can't find out how to close them.

To close any of the apps on the start menu… First open the app that is running then you can use a shortcut holding Alt-then F4. This will close the app.

When you are in a app, another way is to hold down the mouse and use the left mouse button. This turns the mouse pointer on your computer screen into a hand. Now move the hand up to from the top of the screen to the bottom of your screen and let go of your mouse. This closes the app as well.