14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 9, the next full version of Windows that’s expected to hit the market sometime next year, is very likely to bring a big number of changes, some of which might concern the app stores.
The Surface team confirmed in an AMA session on Reddit that Microsoft is indeed looking into ways to merge the app stores available on different platforms and according to previous reports, Windows 9 could be the first OS to bring such a change.
Asked whether users will be allowed to purchase an app from the Windows 8 Store and then use it on Windows Phone or Windows RT, the Surface Team said, “We are certainly looking into that, but have nothing to announce today.”
This isn’t the first time when such a feature is rumored to come into next Windows versions, especially because Redmond is looking into ways to bring its platforms together and appealing to more users.
Sources close to the matter have even hinted that Microsoft might try to merge the Windows RT and Windows Phone platforms, in an attempt to make more apps and features available to consumers.
As usual, the company doesn’t comment on future projects, but if previous reports are true, more details on Windows 9 should be provided in the coming months.
A previously-leaked product roadmap hinted that the first Windows 9 beta could be launched by Microsoft in January 2014, before a final preview version that would surface in mid-2014.
The operating system would then hit RTM in September, before reaching general availability and being released to consumers in November 2014.
Of course, all of these are only unconfirmed details and since Redmond refuses to comment on this kind of information, let’s just take everything with a grain of salt and wait a few more months.