Windows 8 Metro Apps Will Only Be Available From Microsoft’s App Store

I’m sure all of you know about the new Metro UI in Windows 8 which is built up mainly from apps. Microsoft demonstrated just how easy it is to build these apps and all the new elements that they add to the Windows operating system. Microsoft also confirmed that the only way to legally get these Windows 8 Metro Apps will be from the Windows 8 App Store.

Is it just me or does this scenario sound familiar? It looks like Microsoft are following Apple here, by limiting where you can get apps for your PC. One of the main reasons people prefer Windows is because it’s so open, anyone can develop an app or program for it and install it. It doesn’t have to go through a long painful certification process which wastes time and money. I can download a program from anywhere on the web, and if a developer feels like charging me for it, I can buy it through them directly.

Windows 8 Metro Apps Will Only Be Available From Microsoft's App Store

 

[Dave76]

If they go from open available apps to app store only, they will get immense negative feedback.

The app store is a good idea but, shouldn't be the only way to get apps.

 

[Corrine]

The Microsoft App Store will include free, free trial and paid apps. The reason for only having apps in one place is not only ensuring a basic benchmark for quality & usability but also the certification process which is used to help reduce/prevent malicious apps.

From Computerworld:

Dworkin also told developers that Microsoft will vet each submission and ensure that Metro apps are malware-free. "We will examine every application that will be submitted to us [and] we will run a virus check and a malware check on every application," Dworkin said.

Although Long Zheng uncovered the 30% figure in an MSDN article, Microsoft still has not confirmed that will be the case.

 

[mikedl]

How is this different than what Apple has done with the iPhone, iPad and iTouch?

I would imagine, similar to the App Store from Apple, just as Cydia came along as an option, so will an option for the MS App Store come along.

 

[Corrine]

No clue, mikedl. I do not use any Apple products. From my point of view, the question about alternate sources is whether they will vet the apps to ensure they are malware free.

 

[Dave76]

[start rant]
When anyone restricts your freedom of choice "for your own good" I see huge warning flags...
Next is "we know better what you want/need", and then "fill out the forms explaining why you think you need that software or hardware, we will reply after the mandatory three month waiting period".

If I wanted someone to tell me the software and hardware I need, I'll buy apple (note the mouse over).
[/rant]

Unless MS wants to be called MicApple, I hope they take a slightly different approach.
'You can get fully tested and safe Metro software from the MS app store or take the risk upon yourself and get freeware / open source software.'
Then give the recommended checks you should be doing for non-app store software.

 

[robinbredin]

Another ($$££) money making idea from those guys at M$.:sad:

 

[logicearth]

Another ($$££) money making idea from those guys at M$.:sad:

Microsoft is a business not a charity, stop being a hypocrite. Money makes the world go round, that is why you have a job with a pay check. How do you think your employer gets you that pay check? By having money making ideas. So either get a job that doesn't give you a pay check, or just be quiet. I'm being very serious. Criticizing Microsoft or any business for trying to make money is so hypercritical. The whole point of having a business is to MAKE money.

 

[LOVE8]

Someone (anyone want to try yet?) is going to "crack" it and then metro apps will be all over the place and then MS to "retaliate" will let anyone create metro apps, so no one should worry

 

[logicearth]

I should point out, Microsoft never said anything about being forced only to install Metro Apps from the App store. The tech news sphere has a real problem of hearing fake news and running with it. For example, Low IQ and IE users which was a hoax but no one looked into it. The latest was Secure Boot and Windows 8, again a feature that can be enabled or disabled, but not out of the reach of Linux distributions like Red Hat. These "tech journalist" blindly report the slightest fake news full of opinionated ideas.

 

[Catswold]

I should point out, Microsoft never said anything about being forced only to install Metro Apps from the App store. The tech news sphere has a real problem of hearing fake news and running with it. For example, Low IQ and IE users which was a hoax but no one looked into it. The latest was Secure Boot and Windows 8, again a feature that can be enabled or disabled, but not out of the reach of Linux distributions like Red Hat. These "tech journalist" blindly report the slightest fake news full of opinionated ideas.

LOL! As in politics, in bleeding edge technology, a lie travels around the world twice before the truth can get its boots on.

The rumor mill is the most robust operation there is, there are always people willing to believe the worst about anything.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
If people can develop an APP then it will be installable just like any other 3rd party or Non MS software currently is -- with ONE possible proviso --- MS *Could* do something akin to "Driver signing" on W7 X-64 that ensures only drivers that have passed a valid certification will be "digitally signed" .

Considering the zillions of Windows users out there this restriction -- if it is implemented - will be broken in about 2 seconds flat.

Writing an app is a totally different ball game to writing a driver -- some simple apps probably don't even require than more than a few lines of code and a link to a website.

Cheers
jimbo