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Windows 8.1 updates store, improves app promotion

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The Windows 8 Store didn’t receive a great reception at release, and for good reason; its messy, confusing interface was cluttered by poor-quality apps and didn’t promote a wide variety of choice. Now Microsoft is tackling the Store’s problems with a revision that will appear first in Windows 8.1, most of which focuses on helping developers promote and monetize their apps.

Chief among the additions are in-app purchases and app gifting, a pair of important functions noticeably absent from the original Windows 8 Store. Adding these will  give developers new ways to make money and promote themselves and also provide users a new way to share favorite apps with friends and family.

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Microsoft also hopes to increase visibility by improving promotion. The store’s new front page, along with categories, has been re-designed to allow for more prominent and personalized app suggestions. There will be app recommendations attached to individual app pages, too, which should improve cross-merchandising and discoverability of apps not ranked at the top of each category.

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While most of the announcements focused on development, there was one users specifically will appreciate: No more manual app updates! Microsoft is following in the footsteps of Android and iOS 7 and making Windows 8 apps eligible for automatic, behind-the-scenes improvements. This will help developers ensure users always have the latest version and give users one less update to worry about.

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Improving app promotion is an important step, as it will attract more developers and improve overall app quality, a serious issue facing early versions of the Windows 8 store. The store’s new look is promising, but we’ll need some hands-on time before making a final judgment.

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Matthew S. Smith
Matthew S. Smith
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matthew S. Smith is the former Lead Editor, Reviews at Digital Trends. He previously guided the Products Team, which dives…
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