New Windows 8 Store Allows Install of Apps on 5 Devices
Windows Store will launch alongside the public beta of Windows 8 and offer free apps that can be installed on five devices total.
As previously reported, Microsoft held an event in San Francisco to unveil the Windows Store app market launching with the Windows 8 Public Beta in February. It will offer Metro-style applications categorized like most other app store offerings using labels like Entertainment, Finance, Spotlight (AKA featured apps) and Games. Many of these apps will have time-limited trial periods ranging from 24 hours to 30 days, and other free apps will take advantage of in-app purchasing.
"We designed the landing page to push compelling apps to the surface," said Ted Dworkin, Partner Program Manager for the Windows Store, in a blog. "We use categories to help organize the apps—the latest, most popular, and fast rising apps all have dedicated lists surfaced here. You’ll see personalized app recommendations and also topic pages that promote apps related to editorial themes, helping surface what would otherwise be hidden gems."
Previously one of the big concerns for developers about the store was how Microsoft planned to compete with Apple in regards to revenue sharing. Antoine Leblond, Corporate Vice President of Windows Web Services, laid those worries to rest, announcing that new apps will start at 70 percent (Microsoft gets 30 percent like Apple). However, once the app makes $25,000 in sales, the number jumps up to 80-percent for the rest of the app's lifespan.
Surprisingly, Microsoft's new store will allow consumers to purchase an app and install it on five separate devices. If the app is installed on a sixth device, then one of the other copies will be deactivated as per the Windows Store Terms of Use. Microsoft also requires developers to implement touch- and gesture-based support for all applications, protection against "unintentional large data transfers," and provide a consistent user experience across all processor types -- i.e. no fragmentation allowed. If the latter requirement can't be met, then developers must submit separate versions for each CPU and list the differences in the app's description.
The new Windows Store seemingly paves the way for Microsoft to control how content is installed on Windows 8-powered devices. As previously reported, the storefront will be the only place consumers can purchase and download applications to the new Metro-themed touch-friendly environment. This is a dramatic change from Microsoft's previous stance with Windows 7 and later versions of letting customers purchase and install software from anyone and anywhere. However Microsoft is taking this "controlled" route to reduce the risk of malware, software bugs and other problems typically associated with PC software.
That said, Windows 8 apps will be served up only within the storefront installed within Windows 8 itself. However, Microsoft will also provide a web-based version for browsing only, currently dubbed Windows Store Preview. It will be indexed by search engines and list the store's complete library of apps. Links listed in search engines will bring consumers to the online catalog which will thus prompt users to open the Windows Store app if they're viewing from a Windows 8 PC.
As previously reported, the Windows Store will open its doors in February, but it won't offer any retail apps. "All apps during the Beta period will be free apps – we won’t be supporting paid apps on our transaction platform during Beta," Dworkin reports. "We will hold off on the release of platform transaction support in a future milestone. Beta will help test and reinforce our scale model. It’s a feedback opportunity regarding our onboarding and certification process, and a chance for developers to get early feedback on their Metro style apps."
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To get a full preview of the new Windows Store, check out the Windows Store for Developers blog here.
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deltatux while on Android and iOS there's unlimited installs as long as you're logged into your account.... Do I smell bad DRM in Microsoft's part again?Reply -
AidanJC greghomeFirst App that they need is Steam!That would be great, if valve fixed the bugs that steam is riddled with first...Reply -
cloakster deltatuxwhile on Android and iOS there's unlimited installs as long as you're logged into your account.... Do I smell bad DRM in Microsoft's part again?Reply
Your point is valid, but with the way programs like Office and AV currently work, this is alteast an improvement imo. -
jhansonxi cloaksterYour point is valid, but with the way programs like Office and AV currently work, this is alteast an improvement imo.The torrent "stores" don't have any limits except bandwidth.Reply
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_Cubase_ AidanJCThat would be great, if valve fixed the bugs that steam is riddled with first...Reply
Such as...? -
waethorn http://www.winsupersite.com/blog/supersite-blog-39/windows8/steam-metro-140629Reply
Enjoy!
sorry, but it's just a mock-up :p -
alyoshka IDK...... all I see this type of a system doing is, reducing piracy, giving a share of money from every software company to MS (Royalty), and going more into a bully kind of a company. With it allowing only certain programs to be installed on the forthcoming OS.Reply
It doesn't sound too good if it sticks only to this kind of policy. The 5 separate computer installation is like a multi user license, doesn't make too much sense either for a person who owns just one rig and needs to pay the royalties for the other 4 rigs he's never going to own.
Really, MS does seem to be going bananas..... or should I say Apple. -
klavis "As previously reported, the storefront will be the only place consumers can purchase and download applications to the new Metro-themed touch-friendly environment"Reply
That kind of control has no place in a full fledged OS. I don't like it. That is a huge break for Microsoft and probably the most important aspect of this article. Despite saying it was previously reported. -
palladin9479 klavis"As previously reported, the storefront will be the only place consumers can purchase and download applications to the new Metro-themed touch-friendly environment"That kind of control has no place in a full fledged OS. I don't like it. That is a huge break for Microsoft and probably the most important aspect of this article. Despite saying it was previously reported.Reply
I read that as it being the only place for "mini App" stuff similar to whats already on all your smart phones. You'll still be able to buy / download / whatever regular software and install it on your PC or other device, it just won't be through the metro UI.