Comments on: Windows 8 Metro apps restricted to Microsoft’s own store

By: Michael A

Michael A — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 23:07:00 +0000

What about people who want their resellers to deliver a fully functioning system with all apps installed? They can’t do it, because the apps would be registered to the reseller who’s account is on file, not the end user. In addition, who is going to resell apps with zero profit? That’s a good way to go out of business.

Apple’s model works well for them, because their users typically are not business users, and the Appstore restrictions apply to phones, not computers. Also some companies, such as Amazon are pulling their native apps, and going to web apps to avoid the restrictions. I think most people went with Windows, because there were not restrictions like this. This sounds like NetFlix all over again. Messing with a model that already works can only go downhill.

By: Hidden

Hidden — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 22:42:00 +0000

I think you’re absolutely right. The Windows explorer / Metro UI duality combined with the Apple app store type experience and cost will see developers look towards less restricted platforms such as Android and Linux. Windows 8 went very quickly from exciting to disappointing and it really reminds me of the Vista experience. Honestly, if I wanted Microsoft to act like the ever tyrannical Apple corporation, I’d buy Apple crap. The freedoms of users and developers alike is key.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:06:00 +0000

,.. amazing , I just got a $827.89 iPad2 for only $103.37 and my mom got a $1499.99 HTV for only $251.92, they are both coming tomorrow. I would be an idiot to ever pay full retail prîces at places like Walmart or Bestbuy. I sold a 37" HTV to my boss for $600 that I only paid $78.24 for. I use ÉgoWin.com

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:06:00 +0000

what are those devs who oppose this rule going to do? develop for macs, which have the same restrictions?

its time to get with the times.. stop clinging onto your blackberries and vhs players…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:58:00 +0000

What a dwork…

So.. build your apps, devs… spend a year, dedicate all your time and effort..THEN we’ll let you know our policies..sounds fair..

By: Robin Ashe

Robin Ashe — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:33:00 +0000

This isn’t good news for Windows 8. Certain devs just won’t want to have their apps in the Windows Store, and some apps might get refused for a variety of reasons, making traditional desktop versions the only viable release for them. That ends up breaking up the experience, and has devs split on whether to design traditional desktop apps or Metro apps – this could particularly be a problem for games, as they run full screen anyway, so it would break up the experience the least, but it would mean a lot of games wouldn’t run on ARM systems – and I’m pretty confident that the iPad’s success is mainly due to games, that’s not a market Microsoft wants to leave out. It could also lead to resistance to upgrading, making Windows 8 the next Vista, and making it harder on Windows Phone and Windows 8 Tablets.

It’s perfectly reasonable for them to have MSE warn anyone that installing apps from a third party source isn’t recommended, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, stick to the Windows Store. Then anyone who wants the assurance that Malware won’t make it in, or perhaps wants parental controls so their kid only downloads appropriate apps, can have that control, but anyone else still has the option of installing Metro apps from a third party source. It’s the best of both worlds, and gives Windows 8 the best chance of gaining marketshare quickly. Obviously, if it doesn’t, it could be the end of Microsoft’s dominance and they could be playing catchup for years (and Steve Ballmer will have to step down).

Also, if this goes through, it could be the opportunity Linux needs to finally gain some marketshare. Since Apple likely wants to go the same direction, and Windows 9 would likely be Metro only with the Windows Store only (barring jailbreaking), Linux would end up being the main open app platform. I wouldn’t mind seeing that outcome, especially since Apple looks to be exiting the desktop market, then we’d still at least have 2 players for the desktop.