14 DAY TRIAL // One week ago, we’ve reported to you that Microsoft might merge app stores in the next major Windows release, as the company is planning to offer a unified experience across all its platforms.
Now Terry Myerson, head of the operating systems group within Microsoft, said during an internal meeting that the company is trying to combine the Windows Phone Store and the Windows Store into a single app repository that would provide downloadable tools to both platforms.
The Verge is reporting that the meeting was attended by thousands of company employees, which could be an indication that the tech giant is really keen on bringing such a feature to the market.
While the change could be introduced as soon as early 2014, when Microsoft is projected to roll out a major update for Windows 8.1, the company might very well wait until Windows 9 hits the shelves. According to previous reports, the launch of the next full Windows version is set to take place in November 2014, after reaching RTM during the summer.
In addition, Myerson once again confirmed Microsoft’s commitment to Windows RT tablet, despite recent reports that it could remain the only company on the market selling such devices.
"Windows RT was our first ARM tablet. And as phones extend into tablets, expect us to see many more ARM tablets, Windows ARM tablets in the future," he was quoted as saying by the source.
Microsoft has already presented the Surface 2, a revamped version of the original Surface RT, which runs Windows RT 8.1 and comes with upgraded hardware. The unit is already up for preorder from Microsoft’s website, but shipments will only begin on October 22.
As usual, Microsoft doesn’t comment on its future projects, so no statement from Redmond this time.