14 DAY TRIAL // Today is the day when we get to learn a few more details on the upcoming App Store that Windows 8 users will be able to access from their devices.
The Redmond-based company is expected to make the unveiling during an event in San Francisco, at which it already invited both app developers and journalists.
However, the company hasn’t offered any other details on the upcoming Windows Store until now, saving them all for the said event.
Recently, leaked screenshots with build 8158 of the upcoming OS showed that the storefront was already operational, but that’s all that we could extract from there.
Of course, there is also the info that Microsoft unveiled on the service back at BUILD in September, when they made the Windows 8 Developer Preview available for download.
The Store is not operational in this release, but it is expected to be in the beta flavor of Windows 8, which might become publicly available in late February.
Users will find the store mainly Metro applications, though non-Metro-style software might also be spotted there if it meets certain criteria.
One thing that should be noted here is that Metro apps are expected to be available only through the Store, and that they would be protected via an account-based licensing model.
Basically, the Windows Store will function similarly with the Windows Phone Marketplace, and will enable users to trial applications, download and buy them, and more.
Given the focus on bringing the OS to tablet PCs, it would make sense for Microsoft to have only touch-enabled apps in the app portal, that's for sure.
Although desktop apps (those that do not sport the Metro style) will not be put up for download via the Store, Microsoft will promote them as well, based on certain requirements.
Today, the Redmond-based company should provide a great deal of more details on the upcoming service, so as to offer both end-users and application developers a better idea of what to expect from it.
The software giant should also demo the storefront, while being expected to offer even more on it at CES in January 2012, where it might also showcase the Beta release of Windows 8.