14 DAY TRIAL // As Windows 8’s official launch is drawing near, Microsoft is making the final preparations for having both the platform and services associated with it available for users.
The latest step it took in this direction was to expand the reach of its Windows Store to developers in 82 more markets than before.
Overall, the Windows Store is currently accepting app submissions from application developers in 120 markets around the world, a great milestone in the development of the Windows 8 platform.
“At every major Windows 8 development milestone – Release Preview, Consumer Preview, RTM – we’ve added markets toward our commitment to a truly global offering,” Ted Dworkin, partner program manager for the Store, notes in a blog post.
“Today’s 82 additional markets more than doubles our support toward enabling developer opportunity everywhere there’s a developer with desire. And as we’ve said before, we will just keep going. You can check out the complete list of supported markets on the Dev Center.”
Along with this expansion, Microsoft announced a series of new subscription program offerings meant to reward developers for their interest and commitment to Windows.
As part of this offering, all eligible MSDN subscribers get a free, one-year Windows Store developer account, the company notes, adding that eligible subscriptions include Visual Studio Professional, Test Professional, Premium, Ultimate, and BizSpark.
“We have a program for students—DreamSpark—that similarly waives the subscription fee. And we have an offer for businesses in our BizSpark program, as well,” Dworkin continues.
Interest in Windows 8 and its Windows Store has been great so far, and the availability of the portal for devs in more markets is expected to open the door to more highly appealing applications being pushed to the storefront.
Developers who would like to get started with the development of apps for Windows 8 will find it easy to do so. They simply need to access the Windows Store Dashboard on the Windows Dev Center and sign up.
There, they will find available for download all the tools they need, along with the Windows 8 SDK. Not to mention that documentation and other support content is also available for developers, enabling them to get started with the building of applications fast and easy.
The Windows Store will become generally available for the public the same day as Windows 8 arrives on shelves, namely on October 26, 2012. The first Windows 8 and Windows RT devices will be put up for sale on that day as well.