Skip to main content

Windows Store beta coming with Windows 8 public beta in February 2012

Windows Store Main Page
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Microsoft has announced that a beta of its app store, named the Windows Store, will launch in February 2012, the same time Windows 8 Beta is released. Speaking at an event in San Francisco, Microsoft’s VP of Windows Web Services Antoine Leblond introduced the company’s desktop application store to developers, calling it “the most significant developer opportunity, ever.”

As expected, the Windows Store will be based on the same touch-friendly Metro UI that’s familiar to Windows Phone 7 users, except it will be full screen and available on your computer. When it opens its doors in February, it will be as a beta version with only free apps available at first.

During the presentation, Leblond emphasized the potential reach of the Windows Store, pointing out that Gartner, a research and forecasting company, expects 400 million X86-based PCs to ship over the next 12 months. He added that even if you combine all of the Android and iOS devices sold in the last two years, it still doesn’t match the total Windows sales during the same period.

Once Windows 8 is publicly released and the Windows Store exits beta, Microsoft intends to offer the store to users in 231 markets and in 100 different languages, with apps starting at $1.49.  Other features include in-app purchases, free trial versions and support for as yet unspecified advertising networks. 

Developers will have to pay a $49 one-time registration fee, and can expect to make 70 percent revenue on app sales up to $25,000. At that point, developer share raises to 80 percent, making Microsoft’s store more lucrative than the Android Market or iTunes App Store, which charge a 30 percent commission indefinitely.  Like Apple, Microsoft will vet applications before they’re released. To encourage developers to get working, Microsoft will be running a competition to win the chance to be one of the very first featured apps available inside the store.

Editors' Recommendations

Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Why you should buy a MacBook Pro instead of a MacBook Air
The 14-inch MacBook Pro on a window sill.

There are plenty of reasons to buy a MacBook Air instead of a MacBook Pro. If you want a MacBook on a budget, you don't necessarily need the goodies that come with upgrading to the MacBook Pro.

That being said, I'm going to argue for spending a little more. In my experience, the MacBook Pro offers several distinct advantages that help justify a higher price, especially with the introduction of the more affordable MacBook Pro 14 with the base M3. If you can stretch your budget a bit, here's why I think you should buy a MacBook Pro instead of a MacBook Air.
Setting the stage: pricing

Read more
Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: finally time to upgrade?
The screen of the Surface Pro 9.

Windows 11 is the newest version of Windows, and it's one of the best Windows versions released. At launch, the operating system was very similar to Windows 10, but it has morphed a lot over the past several years. Now, Windows 11 has several key differences compared to Windows 10.

If you've been holding out on upgrading, we have everything you need to know about Windows 11 and how it's different than Windows 10 in this article. We'll detail the differences, as well as show you the areas where Windows 11 is growing faster than Windows 10.
Windows 11 vs. Windows 10: what's new

Read more
Usually $299, this HP Chromebook is discounted to $149 today
HP Chromebook 14b sits on a desk.

If the laptop deals that you come across are too expensive because all you need is a basic device, then you may want to check out Chromebook deals. Here's an affordable offer that may catch your attention -- the HP Chromebook 14a for only $149, following a $150 discount on its original price of $299. That's insanely cheap, and we don't think that price will hold for a long time. If you're interested in taking advantage of this bargain, it's highly recommended that you proceed with the purchase immediately because it may be gone as soon as tomorrow.

Why you should buy the HP Chromebook 14a
A Chromebook is a laptop that's powered by Google's Chrome OS, which is a web-based operating system that allows devices to run fast and smooth despite cheap components. For example, the HP Chromebook 14a is only equipped with the Intel Celeron N4120 processor, Intel UHD Graphics 600, and 4GB of RAM, but it's good enough for the basic tasks that you'll need to complete for work or school such as typing documents, doing online research, and making presentations. The HP Chromebook 14a doesn't have much built-in storage as it only comes with a 64GB eMMC, but you'll have all the space that you need for your files on Google Drive.

Read more