These screenshots were originally leaked in June of 2010, and have been floating around for a long time. I originally did not post these for a couple of reasons, which are listed at the bottom of the post.
However, it appears that I may have been over-paranoid and wrong, since CNBeta announced today that its sources have provided screenshots of the Windows 8 App Marketplace. Yes, the Chinese name has changed from App Store, to App Marketplace (direct translation from English to Chinese is App Mall).
Windows App Store on the Windows 8 chinese interface. Menu items have not changed since.
According to CNBeta sources, Microsoft has already completed internal testing of its Windows App Marketplace, and is prepared to launch the beta soon. Some additional information on the marketplace was provided:
- Developers will be free to add apps to their own “vendor” store. It was not stated whether developers are able to upload apps as a single party. There is a likelihood that vendors will need to be “verified” or “qualified”, before they can be allowed their own store section, where they are free to upload their apps
- Downloads in the Windows App Marketplace will be secure. Details were not given, although it is likely this will be maintained through some method of scanning (Microsoft Security Essentials), or authentication system (probably Smartscreen)
- All apps in the Windows 8 App Marketplace will have passed a compatibility test, meaning you can expect full compatibility with Windows 8 when you download an app from the marketplace
Microsoft has finally decided to join in on the trend and establish its own App Store Marketplace. It will be interesting to see what features Microsoft will offer in order to compete with Apple. No word yet on whether the beta will be public or private.
Editor’s Note:
These screenshots were originally leaked in June of 2010, and have been floating around for a long time. I originally did not post these for a couple of reasons, which are listed at the bottom of the post.
- Very unlikely Microsoft will use the term “App Store,” since Apple is already suing Amazon for a similar case
- Very strange for Microsoft to label its own office suite under “Efficiency”
- If you enlarge the photo, the font pattern seems off, and the UI design seems very inconsistent. Note that the bar “New Apps” rests on does not break off when it reaches “Top Charts.”
I also couldn’t help agreeing with many others that it looks like Windows Media Player modded into an app store.
However, it appears that I might have been wrong. Or that I was too paranoid and neglected the fact that this may have been a concept in its early stages.
Related posts:
- More Windows 8 taskbar images from Milestone 3 leak out
- More images of Windows 8 UI leak
- Win7China: No leaks until Windows 8 Beta
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