Opinion: Why Microsoft’s Windows 8 App Store May Fail

So it’s not really a surprise that Microsoft says Windows 8 needs its own app store. But simply having an app store is not enough anymore. The Windows Store we have seen so far is not convincing and may go down in flames. Microsoft needs to do better.

Apps, formerly called software or programs, are driving platforms these days. Apps, wrapped into a convenient delivery package, are the magic that Apple and Google learned to use to surround their operating systems with amazing user experiences that transcend the idea of a traditional operating system. If the successes of iOS and Android are any indication, then we can assume that there is at least a chance that massive app support for a new Windows version can help Microsoft to secure its dominant market position. Over time, apps in Windows are a critical feature for Microsoft to connect its desktop, mobile, ultra-mobile and entertainment platforms.

Microsoft has a few good ideas for the Windows Store. Summarized, there is a more attractive revenue share model (80/20 above $25,000 in sales), a nicely designed app discovery interface that is seamlessly integrated into the Metro UI, a developer contest to spark the development of unique launch apps, discovery integration in Bing, app curation, an opportunity for developers to automatically offer their apps as a trial without writing additional code, as well as optional integration of app discovery in IE10. Microsoft’s pitch is (you may have already noticed it) “easy discovery” of content. Expect an appealing, animated and smooth interface with a conclusive structure that organizes a flood of apps.

I don’t think it will be enough for the Windows Store to succeed by default. From a very naïve view, you could even question the need for this store. We have had an app store for Windows for about 15 years (download.com), which will remain a valuable source for software as long as Cnet doesn’t hurt itself with dumb ideas such as a nasty installer routine that delivers code for which you have not asked. If Cnet has been following the trend toward app stores, I am sure that they are working on an app version of download.com for Windows and other platforms already. How much more value than download.com can the Windows Store deliver? Here are three problem areas that could potentially hurt Microsoft.

The same holds true for the revenue share model: 70/30 under $25,000 in sales and 80/20 above. But, seriously, how many app developers make more than $25,000 on their app? Most apps don’t even reach $5,000. For example, we know that Windows users are less likely to spend money on software than Apple users. A better revenue share is a great idea, but Microsoft should be focusing more on helping developers to market their apps among potentially tens or hundreds of thousands of apps. Visibility is the true problem for most developers today. IE and Bing exposure are great, but probably not enough. There needs to be some innovative ways for small developers to help their app reach consumers. “Easy discovery” is the right path, but every other app store offers that claim as well. If Microsoft can offer much more value here than its rivals, it will win.

I don’t quite understand why Xbox Live does not have a much more prominent position in platform product marketing these days. Xbox Live should have been a much more powerful component in Windows Mobile, and it is somewhat neglected in Windows 8 previews. We know that it will be integrated in some way, but we have no idea how far the platform integration will reach. If the integration ends with checking your game high-scores and admiring your avatar, it’s not a big deal. However, Xbox Live should be much more integrated, especially if Microsoft moves increasingly in the general entertainment direction.

Microsoft’s entertainment division has the only brand that sparks enthusiasm among its users and is, at this time, the most powerful entertainment platform available. It is a missed opportunity for Microsoft if it does not connect games and entertainment across its platforms. It would be foolish if the company did not specifically engage developers to address Xbox Live that could connect phones, the Xbox 360 and PCs.

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Wolfgang Gruener
Contributor

Wolfgang Gruener is an experienced professional in digital strategy and content, specializing in web strategy, content architecture, user experience, and applying AI in content operations within the insurtech industry. His previous roles include Director, Digital Strategy and Content Experience at American Eagle, Managing Editor at TG Daily, and contributing to publications like Tom's Guide and Tom's Hardware.

  • mobrocket
    Good points in this article... MSFT has a real challedge on their hands for the next decade... their windows cash hog is slowly dying
    Reply
  • aracheb
    fuck. finally gruener write something without siding to apple..
    Reply
  • PhoneyVirus
    Xbox should be left on the consoles look what happen to cross play with Shadowrun when it came to Keyboard Vs Controller that failed big time. Thumbs up for anyone that's going to be disabling the Metro UI after the learn whats new in Windows 8, especially for people that don't have a touch screen.

    I see no reason at all to have that ugly interface on the system, if this keeps up your best bet would be to go back in the Command Prompt. Life is so much easier working in the Command Prompt well at lease for me anyway. Xmas
    Reply
  • Maxor127
    Was the download.com comment sarcasm? It was probably on this site where I read that CNET was caught offering misleading downloads to try to trick users into installing junk that they don't want without the developers' knowledge.
    Reply
  • lradunovic77
    Metro has to stay with Tablets and Windows Phone. Dear Microsoft, a PC is not Tablet. Metro will drive people away from Windows and MS is going to learn hard lesson this time, it will have greater impact than Windows Vista failure. I tried Metro and on Desktop machine it is unusable. Using keyboard and mouse is insanely non functional. If you want to get an idea try Zune ->horrible and that explains why it failed. I was very surprised by MS move on Metro, even they Windows Phone is not doing well.
    I am afraid that in some way Metro will be intrusive and necessary to run some basic tasks like Search. Unfortunately all the good changes in Windows 8 such as improvements in File System, Backup etc will be shadowed by new UI. I like changes and i am not stuck on old interface but when is something bad (Metro) it is really bad. If you see Pre-Beta screenshots (Most likely Final) you get big ass tile with Windows Explorer Icon on it and text. What a waste of Desktop space, and it is so intrusive. I said 10 years ago that MS needs to fire their complete design team along with managers.
    Reply
  • lradunovic77
    If they really want to get Windows Store, fine. They need to follow Steam idea. Steam is the biggest success on PC, i would say bigger than Windows 7 itself! I also see that some form of XBOX live will get involved with PC. Dear Microsoft, a PC is not Console. Please stop mixing oranges and apples.
    Reply
  • lradunovic77
    If i was MS CEO, i would kill Metro project as there is still time. Revert Windows 8 interface back to Windows 7 interface and i guess keep Ribbon Feature (still needs to be polished) to make UI consistent and do some UI tweaks here and there Windows 7 was lacking. Bring all the kernel changes and features from Windows 8. And ship the product, i bet it would succeed a big time. After it goes RTM fire whole design team with Managers and hire some smart people out there, people who are in UI Business for decades.
    Reply
  • jad023
    Microsoft does not bring up HTML5 because developers don't want it. When microsoft mentions HTML5 THEY LOSE DEVELOPER INTEREST. Its like a bad word to us. So they keep mum because they under estimated the negative feedback from their developer community. They still are not sure if developers are going to show up for Windows 8 to build apps. There is a bigger story here. If it fails Windows 8 goes away, but so does the HTML5 stuff. I am personally willing to sacrifice it. Check out what Microsoft developers are saying about the HTML5 direction. You will soon see its some scary stuff.
    Reply
  • So many things wrong in this FUD article. All windows store apps will support mouse and keyboard. Why would desktop and laptop users not use the app store to get the latest and greatest software for Windows. CNET will not be able to offer winrt apps for download. And download.com is a cesspool of crapware and anti-malware software. It will not be competitive it representative of what you find on Windows app store. Anyone who thinks Microsoft will have trouble attracting developers to the official Windows 8 app store is a moron. Even Windows Phone which has no market share right now is the fastest growing app store in history. Windows has the largest stable of developers in the world and will quickly have the largest install base in the world. It will probably take Windows 8 less than 8 months to surpass the iPad install base.
    Reply
  • lradunovic77
    Another thing about Windows Store, I think paying Valve to build Windows Store (Steam Concept) for Windows would be even better option. Why reinvent the wheel when there are people and companies who are doing perfect job in it namely Valve. I bet it would be much more cost effective than trying to figure out Windows Store using Metro.
    Reply