Windows 8: developers and their relationship with the Windows Store

We continue with our special on Windows 8. In the last installment we analyzed the Windows Store in depth, how it worked and how we can take advantage of it to find the application we need. Today we are also going to talk about the app store, but this time from the point of view of the developers: what requirements an app has to meet to appear in the Store and what other added services Microsoft offers.

What does a Modern UI app have to meet to be able to enter the Store?

For a Modern UI app to make it to the Windows Store, it first has to pass a series of tests.Microsoft establishes strict requirements, both at the code and API level, as well as at the usability level, which prevent any application that does not have a minimum of quality from reaching the Store.

Certification has two phases, one automatic and the other carried out by people. In the automatic test phase, it is verified that the application only calls the allowed APIs and that all the fields and files (captures and icons) sent comply with the corresponding restrictions.

Next comes the more extensive testing phase, the part in which a person will test the application. As if you were a normal user, you will explore the application trying all the options, navigating through the different pages and even trying to do things unexpected for the application (entering letters in a text field, for example).

With this they try to verify that the application works, and that it works well.The most basic requirements are that the application has to be functional from the moment it is installed, cannot be closed unexpectedly due to an error or crash, that it cannot take more than 5 seconds to launch or take less than 2 seconds to suspend, and that the interface cannot stop responding at any time.

"In addition to this, they will ensure that user privacy is respected. This means that they must show a privacy statement if they store or use personal information, and warn when they are going to share or send this same information (none of which you can turn off later, Facebook-style)."

The certification process also checks that ads are not intrusive and do not appear in place of app or notification bars, that they respect the user's system settings and that they can be used anywhere computer regardless of screen size or input methods.

Finally, Microsoft monitors the content of the application: that there is no racism, incitement to violence or the like, and that the age rating is appropriate.

In summary: any application that is available in the Windows Store has passed tests that ensure that you are going to download something that works well and does what it promises. Of course, this is in theory: on Windows Phone the process is very similar and look at what happens with WhatsApp, for example.

Desktop applications yes, but only as links

Desktop apps will also be in the Store.

In addition to Metro or Modern UI apps, the Windows Store will also accept desktop apps. However, we will not be able to download them from there directly: the Store will only act as a list of applications.When entering the detail page of each one, we will have links to go to the manufacturer's website and download it.

To pass certification, a desktop app must meet the same requirements as Modern UI apps. In addition, Microsoft imposes some additional restrictions on the download links: they have to be direct (no going around thousands of times to download or buy the application), have 32-bit and 64-bit versions, and also include the same information that is given to Microsoft. in the Store. As a last condition, only enterprise developers will be able to submit desktop applications.

Beta and trial versions in the Windows Store

One of the flaws of the Windows Store is that, unlike its smaller mobile cousin, it does not offer beta applications.On Windows Phone, developers can submit a beta version, which is private and only goes through self-certification. It is the developer who includes the emails of the users who want to try the application, and they will be the only ones who will be able to download and try it.

Windows Store doesn't have this capability, which is a bug and a nuisance for developers, mainly because regular users can't install Modern UI apps without a developer account. In this way, if someone wants to offer a beta version of an application, they will only be able to count on a very small group of people and will not receive as many comments or suggestions.

"

What the Windows Store does offer, and this time improved with respect to the Windows Phone store, are the trial versions. Any paid application can have a trial mode limited by time (seven days). When that time passes, the system warns >"

If the user decides to buy the full version, from the moment they pay they will be able to use the application without any type of restriction. And most importantly: without downloading anything additional and without losing any data .

Application prices: from 1.49 to 1000 dollars

Of course, the Windows Store allows you to publish paid applications. Prices are set by Microsoft, and range from $1.49 to $1,000. In the lower range, which will probably be the most common, the increments are $0.50. As the price becomes higher, the differences are also greater.

In euros, the lowest price is 1.19 euros. Curiously, the prices do not increase in the same way, but sometimes there are differences of 30 cents and sometimes 50, as you can see in the screenshot. The possibilities to choose from are quite wide, so anyone can put the price they prefer.

Of all that is collected with the sales of the application, Microsoft takes the traditional share: 30%. However, when sales exceed $25,000, the commission will become 20%.

In-App Purchases, another way to earn money with applications

With Windows 8 Microsoft includes a new way to generate money for developers: In-App purchases, or purchases integrated into the application. The concept is very simple: pay for small add-ons or additions to the application.

For example, a racing game could take advantage of In-App purchases so that users can buy exclusive cars, or a newsreader could sell different themes for the application. The biggest advantage is that the purchases are made with the Windows Store account, so the payment details are not given to the creator of the application.

For the developer, In-App purchases also offer important advantages, mainly that all payment and product management is done on Microsoft servers. You only have to check the purchase receipts if you want to transmit that purchase to a server (for example, so that the necessary data is downloaded when installing the application on another PC).

Push notifications, Live Connect and ad networks

The WNS server acts as an intermediary when sending push notifications.

Microsoft offers some services associated with the Windows Store for developers. They are tools that extend the features of the applications or facilitate certain tasks, as long as they have their application published in the Store.

The first thing is push notifications. For an app to receive these instant notifications, it has to use WNS (Windows Notification Service).WNS acts as an intermediary server between the computer and the developer's server that sends the notifications. It is important to note that there is no other way to send push notifications to apps in Windows 8.

Live Connect allows you to easily identify yourself with your Live account.

Microsoft also offers the Live Connect service. As you know, with Windows 8 you can create a user account linked to a Live account. Live Connect allows the application to access that Live account (as long as we give explicit permission) and therefore SkyDrive, Calendar, Contacts and Messenger in a very simple and, furthermore, very secure way for the user.

"

This service can also be used to identify the user on an external server. For example, let&39;s say you download an online strategy game where you battle against other players in a browser or on a mobile.Well, instead of having to create a new account, we simply use our Live account to identify ourselves without much problem. It is a procedure similar to that of Entering with Facebook/Twitter>."

Finally, Microsoft also has an ad network for . Through a free SDK, any developer can include in their application and earn extra money directly in their Windows Store account, and saving all the hassle of looking for advertisers or agencies that manage the .

Special Windows 8 In Depth