Microsoft is reportedly forming an Super Store to offer apps for Windows 8 computers as well as Microsoft phones and tablets.
According to ZDNet, Microsoft has been busy creating a single, new app depot for the upcoming new versions of the company’s operating systems. Those would be Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1.
The move, if done right, could seriously help Microsoft change the general perception of the company’s app stores. As it is, Microsoft trails its rival, Apple, in the sheer numbers of available apps.
Obviously, a unified Windows store with apps that are able to run on all Windows 8.1 platforms could ultimately boost the total number of programs available for all devices running Windows, as well as help boost Windows RT and Windows Phone acceptability with both application developers and the computer and smartphone consumer .
Microsoft execs have been hinting lately, that in the future there will be “One Windows” and one Windows API. In fact, at the company’s Financial Analyst Meeting last week, Executive VP Terry Myerson restated that, “We should have one set of developer APIs on all of our devices. And all of the apps we bring to end users should be available on all of our devices.”
Attendees said Myerson told the thousands of gathered employees that both the computer and smartphone versions of Windows software will receive a “special” coordinated updates to accomplish the change. The updates could come as early as next spring.
According to CNet, Azure is also likely playing a role in this scenario. Maybe something to do with cloud compilation of applications?
This would involve Microsoft compiling developers’ applications for them, like they did with the Windows Phone during the move from Windows Phone 7 to Windows Phone 8. That move was meant to help with portability and performance. It could also be that the back-end code for certain apps runs on Windows Azure and is streamed to phones and PCs. That would give users the impression that Halo 4 really is running natively on their Windows Phone or Windows RT tablet.
In addition to happy developers it could also result in happy customers! Ultimately, a single store that included both Windows 8 Metro-Style and Windows Phone 8 apps would definitely help with the never-ending complaints about shortages of Windows 8 and Windows Phone apps.
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