Microsoft to show off Windows 8 app store this week?
Microsoft's next iteration of Windows, aptly named Windows 8, promises to bring some major, new enhancements to make the OS more tablet-friendly. Obviously touch capabilities are a huge focus for the folks up in Redmond, but they're also putting some resources into the app ecosystem that Windows 8 will live in, and if a new report is to be believed, we should get a good glimpse of what that ecosystem will look like this week.
It's expected that Microsoft will show free and paid apps, as well as trial versions of software, as well. That latter part will make a serious difference, in my opinion; unlike the ubiquitous 'Lite' apps that plague certain other markets, trial software usually includes the entire range of functionality, just for a limited amount of time. I know I would rather have a fully functional piece of software versus a watered down one.
Unfortunately, the apps included in this new market will only be for the Metro UI side of Windows 8. Legacy apps and apps that will run on the traditional Windows desktop will show up in the store, but they'll simply be links that redirect to the developer's webpage.
Still, I imagine that most users of Windows 8 tablets will migrate to Metro. My only hope is that professional-line software from the likes of Adobe and others will move with the people, as well.
[SlashGear]
