14 DAY TRIAL // Developers keep sending new apps to Microsoft’s Windows Store, which is quite encouraging news for the Redmond-based technology firm, but the company has just announced that its approval process would be slowed down during the Christmas holidays.
Microsoft claims that several Windows Store team members will receive some days off to spend Christmas with their families, so new apps could be approved a bit slower.
“From December 22nd through January 1st, the Windows Store team will have fewer staff on-hand, as team members spend the holidays with their families. We’ll continue to review and certify your apps during this time—it will just take a little longer,” Antoine Leblond of Microsoft said.
Developers who want to see their apps in the Store before the holidays are advised to send them right now or wait until January to submit their new apps.
“If you’re hoping to get your app certified and in the Store before the holidays, we recommend you submit your app right away. And if you have non-essential updates that you’d like to make, consider holding off until after January 1st,” Leblond explained.
Microsoft’s Windows Store continues to grow bigger at a pretty fast pace, as unofficial sources are now pointing out that it holds more than 25,000 applications at this point.
The company is yet to disclose the official number of apps available in the Store right now, but a Microsoft executive hinted earlier this year that approximately 100,000 apps should be approved before February 2013.
Steve Ballmer, on the other hand, said in a meeting with shareholders that some Windows 8 apps had already recorded more than 1 million downloads.
“We know for sure that people get it, and like it,” Ballmer said about Windows 8. “Consumers are using the features and downloading new applications. In fact, several apps have reached already 1 million downloads,” he continued.