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 the client Windows 8.1 and updates to Visual Studio 2013 with the ability to create universal applications, we will have another important change that will affect developers of mobile and client applications. Speech about changes in app 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 registration as a developer and a general procedure for publishing applications for Windows and Phone.

check in

Little, but useful changes will be made to the developer registration process.
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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.
• It will be possible to use PayPal.
• The developer agreement will be common for Windows Phone and for the Windows Store.

Application Publishing

After the update of the stores reaches Russia, the developers will have the following opportunities.

Ability to "bind" Windows and Windows Phone applications

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



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

Accelerating the application certification process

Now the process of checking and publishing the application takes from 2 to 5 days. This time is promised to be reduced to several hours.
First it 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. More in-depth details on this issue yet.

Monetization

You can set as a total price, and leave different prices for Windows Phone and Windows applications.

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

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, while for Windows, values ​​for the lower price segment will be added ($ 0.99 and $ 1.29).

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 a mobile Windows Phone 8.1 or deliver another update for client Windows 8.1.



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

• List of popular applications.
• Personalized collections and personalized offers based on already installed applications, interests, views in the catalog, etc. fixed events.
• Sign of application versatility. A small icon that reports that the application is available for phones, laptops, computers and tablets.



• Improved 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 the Windows phone, now it will be implemented in Windows.
• Ability to configure automatic update applications. When the 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 any applications developed and published in the Windows store or Windows Phone store, watch for announcements, wait for changes and study the theme of universal apps .

You can learn more about changes in the app stores by looking at the report 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 developer for Windows and Windows Phone