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Microsoft sets sandbox boundaries for Metro developers
With so many apps running around the Windows playground, Microsoft wants the grown-ups to be in charge of Metro. Programs for the new interface will be available only through the Windows Store, which will allow one-click installs, user feedback and crash monitoring. Developers shouldn't worry too much, as the heavy lifting for those features will all be handled by the OS. Redmond's demanding some tit-for-tat, however, asking programmers to resist the temptation to invoke APIs not included in the development kit. All the software will be vetted, App-Store style, while access to devices like GPS and cameras must be granted by users before the apps can grab them. We've already seen that the old BSOD is gone, so hopefully this new course plotted by Metro will keep those frowny faces away.
Microsoft gives Windows 8 developers a head start on Windows Store app submissions
If you've been jonesing to get your app into the Windows Store and don't want to compete for attention with the developing masses when Windows 8 ships, Microsoft might just have your ticket to the front of the line. Developer Evangelist Matt Harrington is offering a fast track for developers that write a "great" app, contact him through his blog and meet all the app submission conditions needed to get Microsoft's rubber stamp. Along with receiving a token to enter the store well ahead of most others, those privileged few who clear the hurdles can get help from a Microsoft engineer to give their Windows 8 apps that extra polish. When the development floodgates open to everyone is still an unknown, although a handful of workshops between May 11 and June 8 should give app writers an edge in getting started.
Windows Store slowly going global, 26 country specific markets launching with next update
The Windows Store, though still very much in the trial stage, is already growing -- and not just in terms of catalog size. At launch, alongside the consumer preview of Windows 8, the Store was only accepting submissions from devs in five different countries and had region specific markets to match. With the next preview release of its upcoming OS, though, Microsoft plans to expand that greatly. Soon enough 33 more nations will be open to submitting apps and the number of country-specific store fronts will jump from five to 26. And, while you'll still have to submit your apps in one of the 12 certification languages for approval purposes, entries will be accepted in 109 different tongues. This move will require some changes on the backend, of course, to scale globally. So, as part of that transition Microsoft has stopped accepting submissions for Consumer Preview apps. We can only hope the down time is short lived and the next version of the Windows Store (and possibly Windows 8) is hot on its heels.
Microsoft guide explains how to submit apps to the Windows Store (video)
Microsoft is serious about Windows 8, and if you're serious about submitting Metro-style apps then there's now a healthily long and detailed blog post (at the source link) explaining how. The post suggests that Redmond's app police are looking at a roughly a six-day turnaround for signing off and publishing the average title, with content compliance taking the longest time because it involves "real people." As the real person in the video after the break makes clear, your first goal should be to reserve your app's name so no one else can take it. (You do have a name for it, right?)
Windows Store fine print puts consumers first
Digging into the Windows Store fine print reveals Microsoft's "consumer first" policy for the metro-style apps for next year's operating system. The company wants developers to make every app fully touch compatible, with every gesture working the same way as it does in Windows 8. It'll have to cater for every CPU architecture as well (or face having to tailor multiple editions) since users can install it on up to five machines. Video downloads are capped at 256Kb/s and audio at 64Kb/s to prevent apps maxing out the data caps on your plan -- if it wants any more, it'll have to politely ask for your permission. The only thing the company isn't offering to users is a returns policy, (except in countries where it's legally obligated to) but we can't have it all our own way, eh?
Microsoft demos Windows Store, coming to Windows 8 beta in February
Well well, we knew Microsoft had something in store for us at its Windows Store Preview event tonight, and it just revealed the look for its Windows 8 app-selling portal. It sports a new Metro-like UI, and comes with some new content from Disney, digital books and magazines, plus games like Cut the Rope are on tap, too. Bing's on board to index the whole store catalog and make all the fresh content easy to find, and the setup allows company websites to deep link to app descriptions in the store. There's also a mechanism for integrating app purchases from company websites built directly into the store infrastructure as well. Of course, the new Windows Store isn't just for consumers, enterprise apps will also be available to fulfill your every business need. IT admins can deploy apps in a local version of the store, so that everything stays nice and secure on the internal networks. Not only that, but some secret sauce ensures that both enterprise and personal apps can be managed seamlessly on that slick new Windows 8 slate of yours. As for developers, Microsoft takes the now standard 30 percent cut of every app you sell in its store, but once you've sold $25,000 worth of software, that drops to 20 percent. For those interested in the full rundown of Microsoft's new app outlet, there's a video explaining its features and PR below and a Windows Store Blog will be hitting the web soon. The Windows Store is set to open its digital doors in late February of next year, with the Redmond crew only accepting free apps submitted by invitation only. So, if you're one of the chosen would-be Windows 8 devs, you better get cracking. %Gallery-141193%
Windows 8 details: new features, UI enhancements and everything in between
Today, Windows Division prexy Steven Sinofsky treated Build 2011 attendees to a walkthrough of the various tweaks, subtle or otherwise, Microsoft's made to Windows 8. Staying true to its roots, the new OS implements the familiar keyboard commands users have become accustomed to over the years -- you know, like CMD and Ctrl+F. And as for its update to Internet Explorer, MS has imbued its tenth iteration with the ability to switch between the much-hyped Metro-style UI and plain old desktop view -- all according to your whimsy. Of course, Redmond's instituted other sweeping changes across the platform, and you can check some of the highlights after the break. %Gallery-133511%
Windows logo planted on upcoming Apple Store in Germany (video)
A quick glance at the above photo might have you believing that's the site of a Microsoft Store being constructed; actually, it's an Apple Store. Yesterday, in the Jungfernstieg section of Hamburg, Germany, a group going by the name of ".WAV Collective" apparently vandalized the soon-to-be Apple retail location. They casually went up to the building posing as a team of construction workers, cordoned off a work site, and proceeded to screw pre-made panels, forming a Windows logo, to the side of the store's black veil -- all in broad daylight. Looks like the old question of Mac vs. PC just got a bit more confusing over in Europe. Don't believe us? Have a look at the collective's own video recap of the events posted after the break. [Thanks, Toni]
Latest Windows 8 leaks reveal cloud-based settings, more app store evidence
We're sure Microsoft is going to announce some more official details about Windows 8 one of these days, but until then we'll just have to make do with the seemingly unending stream of tidbits being unearthed from the leaked version of the OS. Most notably, this latest batch includes the most conclusive evidence yet of a Windows 8 app store, including the logo pictured above, and a slew of other references at the code level -- things like the ability to download a trial app and then unlock the full version (rather than re-download it), for instance, and the existence of things like screenshots and system requirements in the app store listings. Another recent leak has also revealed some new cloud-based settings options that could let you take your desktop profile and other personalizations from one computer to another, and even give you the ability to sync apps from that aforementioned Windows Store between PCs. All that, plus support for 3D displays and WiFi Direct. Hit up the links below for some additional details.
Caption Contest: Steve Ballmer goes on kill-crazy rampage at Microsoft Store
In the photo above you see Microsoft's Steve Ballmer performing a ribbon cutting at the company's new store in Bellevue, Washington. Shortly after finishing with the ribbon, Ballmer proceeded to rampage the store and patrons, leaving 17 dead, 6 wounded, and a stunned Miley Cyrus wondering if she had made the wisest career decisions. Ballmer was finally subdued by Dave Matthews, who knocked the CEO unconscious with an 8-foot bong. Josh: "I'm a PC, and I'm going to mess up your insides so bad, you'll pray for death." Ben Bowers: "Anyone else want to claim Windows 7 was their idea?" Chris: "To the cloud! With Windows 7 and Windows Live, Microsoft can mix and match its CEO's best faces until it's able to piece together a photo it's proud to share." Ross: "Using the power of Control-X while mobile is just one of the many superpowers Ballmer has and Windows Phone 7 users don't." Darren: "Moments before this tremendous occasion, Ballmer begrudgingly confirmed a prompt questioning his true intentions to dismantle a red ribbon." Nilay: "Touch my junk and I'll have you arrested." Don: "There can only be one!" Vlad: "I love this company! I love it so much I'm gonna cut it up into little pieces and eat it!" Joe: "Clearly event organizers hadn't planned for every possible emergency." Thomas: "Baby Ballmer cuts his own cord thankyouverymuch." Myriam: "Developers! It's time to get cut and paste into Windows Phone 7..."
