Must Read: Sorry, but bringing back the Start menu won't help Windows 8

Topic: Windows

Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

Summary: Microsoft officials shared a few more details about the coming Windows 8 app store and wireless networking stack.

Mary Jo Foley

By for All About Microsoft |

Microsoft officials revealed more details about how the company plans to design and organize its Windows 8 app store via a blog post on January 20.

(click on the image above to enlarge)

The Windows Store -- which will launch in early form in February as part of the Windows 8 beta -- unsurprisingly shares the Metro look-and-feel with Windows 8. The new post details more about the Store's landing page, editorial topic pages, data-generated lists, app listing pages, and the search, browse, install, and update experiences.

Metro-style apps will be downloadble and purchasable from directly inside the store. Non-Metro-style Desktop apps will be findable, but not directly purchasable or downloadable; via the Store, users will be directed to the sites of the developers of those Desktop apps for purchase.

Microsoft is holding a First Apps contest to encourage developers to start building Windows 8 apps now for inclusion in the Store. The finalists are currently working with a private newer Windows 8 build to tailor their apps for the beta.

In other Windows 8 news today, Microsoft officials also provided more details about some of the tweaks the Windows team is making to the Windows 8 wireless networking stack to optimize it for mobile broadband and Wi-Fi networks.

One more related bit: The JavaScript-based Compat Inspector testing tool is now available for IE10." Use Compat Inspector to quickly identify if Internet Explorer platform changes affect your site. Whether you're preparing for IE10 or still updating for IE9, run Compat Inspector on any page experiencing problems. Then watch for messages explaining potential issues and steps you can take to resolve them," according to a January 20 post on the IEBlog.

Topics: Windows, Microsoft, Operating Systems, Software

About

Mary Jo has covered the tech industry for more than 25 years for a variety of publications and Web sites, and is a frequent guest on radio, TV and podcasts, speaking about all things Microsoft-related. She is the author of Microsoft 2.0: How Microsoft plans to stay relevant in the post-Gates era (John Wiley & Sons, 2008).

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24 comments
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  • Apple started it, Android followed it and MS brings up the tail?

    Welcome to the App Store model touted as a cure for all OS illness. If they had any sense, they would have been the first to do it. Even Ubuntu's Software Center is easier to use than to locate and install software on a PC for most non technical users. MS has the most software available for an OS, in fact it beats all other OS combined for the tally, but they are late as usual and end up copying other's ideas. Hope they support software developed using other compilers such as Delphi in their App Store.
    GoForTheBest
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

      @iRMX

      Welcome to the XBox market store, which has been around longer that what you may remember, or can share a link to..
      FuzzyBunnySlippers
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

      @iRMX
      The "Checkers" interface cannot be beat! Octogenarians love it!
      Loverrock Davidsen
      Reply Vote

      • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

        @Loverrock Davidsen You'll be old before you know it. I hope you even live to be 80
        bclomptwihm
        Reply 1 Vote

  • Any news on the 30% cut ...

    ... on apps. in the store ... the Apple-like parasitism to which Microsoft would like to drive us under METRO?

    I'd be interested to hear what you and Ed Bott have to say about it ;-)

    How do I download and install a METRO app. which the author does not wish to go through the store?
    johnfenjackson@...
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

      @johnfenjackson@... What is your question?

      Microsoft will have a store for Windows now....similar to the store they have had for Xbox and for Windows Phone. It will deliver Metro Apps directly and advertise Desktop Apps. For this service, Microsoft is charging a transaction fee similar to Apple. If you want to distribute a Metro App outside of the Windows Store, you can do it, but the customer must unlock (Dev Unlocked) their machine in order to use your app. There will also be opportunities to distribute to select audiences through the store, ie for Corporate specific software.

      So.....what is your question?
      gomigomijunk
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

      ---
      FuzzyBunnySlippers
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

      @johnfenjackson@... Microsoft has already stated that they require a 30% cut until your app has earned $20K after which they'll take 20%.

      For successful apps, that could make quite a bit of difference in the author's earnings.
      bitcrazed
      Reply Vote

  • How do you see the bundling ...

    ... of AV and IE being received in Europe?
    Direct inclusion without choice, as presented in the Developer Preview, doesn't seem to fit with the last European requirement for selection at install time.
    Any sign of a METRO version of Chrome, Safari, Firefox?
    Any noise from the AV companies about METRO versions?
    johnfenjackson@...
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

      ---
      FuzzyBunnySlippers
      Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

      @johnfenjackson@... None of those matter, as they will not come close to IE, in any terms. IE is the fastest, most secure browser in the history of computing.
      Stephen-B
      Reply 1 Vote

      • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

        @Stephen-B - you're getting there. Keep it up and you may reach Mike Cox level in your satire. +2
        The Danger is Microsoft
        Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

    ---
    FuzzyBunnySlippers
    Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

    I think restricting a desktop OS to solely using an appstore to obtain software is a joke. What is Microsoft thinking? Most Windows programs cost more than $1.00. These aren't phones. Since Microsoft in its wisdom has dictated that all Metro apps must be downloaded from the Windows Store, I guess the shelves at Frye's, Best Buy, Office Depot, etc. will just eventually dry up. An app store is one thing, but retailers serve a purpose in moving software, especially expensive software, and somehow Microsoft has forgotten this. Also system integrators need to include software. Talk about shooting the goose with the golden egg.
    Michael4000
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

      @Michael4000

      Next time read the article
      tonymcs@...
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

    Windows were great if there were no alternatives. There are many better alternatives. My organization using ubuntu from past 4 years and we have no windows installation. It is possible to live without windows but only thing not everyone is aware of that. It is slowly changing and importantly the 'change' is irreversible.
    NewCitizen
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

      @NewCitizen,
      Good for you. What does that have to do with the article?
      bmonsterman
      Reply Vote

  • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

    Microsoft Values "As a company, and as individuals, we value integrity, honesty, openness, personal excellence, constructive self-criticism, continual self-improvement, and mutual respect???.???
    So here is an honest view! In regions like the Middle East and UAE, where the labor laws are weak and heavily loaded towards the employer, you hire contract workers for years and years and pay them 1/4th of permanent staff and makes them work twice. This would be illegal in much of the Western world. Microsoft, you professes to be the world???s largest software company and you practice slavery arrangement. Shame on you!
    Mike Dee
    Reply Vote

  • Metro app for Office?

    What I'm wondering is if there will be Metro version apps for some of the more sophisticated Windows programs, like Office, PhotoShop, Illustrator, etc. Obviously, functionality will not be the same as a traditional app (at least at first)... but it'd be nice to have a Metro version of Office... for quick edits, etc.
    metromalenyc
    Reply Vote

    • RE: Microsoft reveals more Windows 8 app store details

      @metromalenyc Office 365 is already more powerful than anything, short of Office itself. If you were smart you'd focus 100% on Microsoft technologies. I advise all my customers to go 100% Microsoft. It saves them millions yearly, and helps with my Bonus ckecks
      Stephen-B
      Reply Vote
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