Microsoft finds new name for its Metro apps

Mar 26, 2015 06:36 GMT  ·  By

Back in 2012, when Microsoft revealed the very first beta version of Windows 8, the company also introduced what it called the Metro UI, a touch-optimized environment that came with a new set of apps specifically designed to run in full screen and aimed at tablets that were designed to be powered by its new operating system.

Called Metro apps, these new programs were then renamed “Modern” when work on Windows 8 came to an end, with Microsoft explaining that “Metro” was just an internal codename.

Often referred to as “Windows Store apps,” these new tools were also the ones that brought in more criticism for the software giant, as Microsoft offered them on all devices powered by Windows 8, including PCs, despite the fact that they were primarily created to be used on tablets.

But with Windows 10, Microsoft is making another change that would rely on its concept of universal apps that will serve as the foundation of the new modern operating system.

Enter Windows apps

In a slide posted on Channel9, Microsoft reveals that the old Modern apps will be called “Windows apps” when Windows 10 becomes available, while software designed to be used on the desktop will simply be called “Windows desktop applications.”

The differences between the two platforms are pretty much obvious. Windows apps are designed to be used on all Windows device families (so they are based on the concept of universal apps), while Windows desktop applications can only be used on PCs.

Windows 10 will ship with a unified store that will provide access to universal apps designed to be used across all devices, but it's not yet clear whether Microsoft is planning to use the very same store to provide access to desktop software as well.

Right now, it turns out that Microsoft wants to make the store the unique destination for all apps designed to be used on Windows 10, so expect more news in this regard to be provided in the coming months, as work on the new operating system advances.