Build 2014. Announced Changes in Windows and Windows Phone App Stores

On April 4, the Build 2014 conference ended , at which Microsoft made many different announcements. In addition to the announced mobile operating system Windows Phone 8.1 , available updates for client Windows 8.1 and Visual Studio 2013 updates with the ability to create universal applications, we are expecting another important change that will affect mobile and client application developers. It's about changes in application stores.

The good news for developers is that by the summer we will have a single application store for the entire platform with an interface adapted for mobile phones and tablets, simplified registrationas a developer and general procedure for publishing applications for Windows and Phone.

registration

A few but useful changes will be made to the registration process of developers.



Especially at the request of workers:

• When registering as an application developer, it will be possible to go through the verification process without using a bank card.
• There will be an opportunity to use PayPal.
• The developer agreement will be shared between Windows Phone and the Windows Store.

Publish apps

After the update stores reach Russia, the developers will have the following options.

The ability to "link" Windows and Windows Phone applications

You can “link” your existing Windows and Windows Phone applications, set a unique common name for them, and configure the total cost.
Such related applications will be marked with the corresponding icon:



The total cost for applications will allow the user to purchase the application or content inside the application once for use on various devices: laptop, phone, tablet.
In some cases, you will need to refine the applications for such a scenario, for example, start using RoamingFolder .

Speeding up application certification

Now the process of checking and publishing the application takes from 2 to 5 days. They promise to reduce this time to several hours.
First, this will happen for Windows Phone and universal applications, and then for Windows applications.

The ability to respond to comments on your application

Developers will be able to respond to comments on their application. There are no deeper details on this issue yet.

Monetization

You can set both the total price and leave different prices for Windows Phone and Windows applications.

The Microsoft Ad SDK will be finalized and improved . In the United States will be able to buy ads. When this happens in Russia - not yet reported.

The price settings for Windows and Phone will be the same. For Windows Phone, the ability to specify a price of more than $ 500 will be added, and for Windows, values ​​for the lower price segment ($ 0.99 and $ 1.29) will be added.

Analytics and Reporting

Developers will be provided with more detailed financial statements and an improved crash report.

New Store Interface

Stores will change not only internally, but also visually, for those who upgrade to mobile Windows Phone 8.1 or deliver the next update for client Windows 8.1.



If we talk about the interface and functionality, then there will appear some new features:

• A list of popular applications.
• Personalized collections and personalized offers based on already installed applications, interests, catalog views, etc. recorded events.
• A sign of the versatility of the application. A small icon that indicates that the application is available for phones, laptops, computers and tablets.



• Modified page with ratings and reviews.



• Quick access to your applications and account information through the menu.
• Ability to view all collections. The opportunity was in Windows phone, now it will be implemented in Windows.
• Ability to configure automatic application updates. When a new version is released, the application will be updated, and the user will receive a pop-up notification for Windows Phone.
• Ability to install applications on SD cards for Windows Phone.

Conclusion

If you have applications developed and published in the Windows or Windows Phone store, stay tuned for announcements, wait for changes, and study the topic of universal applications .

You can find out more deeply and in detail about changes in application stores by looking at the report of Dev Center and App Submission Deep Dive .

useful links

Build 2014 Conference Site
Download Windows 8.1
Update Download Visual Studio 2013 Update 2 RC
Register as a Windows and Windows Phone Developer