The beta version of Windows 8, the tablet-centric iteration of the Windows operating system, will be released in late February rather than a widely anticipated early January date, the company announced at an event in San Francisco. Microsoft Previews Next-Gen Windows 8 Operating System
Microsoft demonstrated for the first time the next generation of Windows, internally code-named "Windows 8," at the D9 conference. In 2009, the company released a beta version of Windows 7 at the show, leading to a massive rush to download the operating system.The news came at an event where the company unveiled the Windows App store, which it said would be made available with the beta. "Opening its doors at Windows 8 Beta in late February 2012, the Windows Store will welcome developers to begin submitting apps starting today," a spokeswoman said. So what will Windows 8 look like? Microsoft on Tuesday confirmed that it will release a public beta of Windows 8 in late February, 2012.--The company broke the news at a San Francisco developers event Tuesday, where Antoine Leblond, vice president of Windows Web services, touted Windows Store, the app market that will be the sole distribution channel for applications designed to run in Windows 8's new "Metro" interface. Windows Store will open to the public at the same time Windows 8's beta ships, a Microsoft spokeswoman said.
While Microsoft has yet to talk about an official launch date for Windows 8, the beta's timing hints at a fall 2012 debut, assuming the company paces Windows 8's final development and testing as it did Windows 7's.--Windows 7's first developer-oriented release was at the end of October 2008. During the Windows 8's beta test stretch, only free apps will be allowed in the Windows Store. Microsoft will also extend invitations to other developers to create content for the Windows Store's late-February opening. Microsoft fleshed out details for its Windows Store, announcing to developers that the Windows 8 app store will become available with the Windows 8 beta in late February 2012 as the software giant pledges to give developers a larger piece of the app dev pie.
Developers can start submitting apps for the Windows Store via the First Apps Contest to be considered for the store's opening and be featured in the Windows Store for Beta. Microsoft in September at its BUILD conference announced the Windows Store as part of Windows 8 and the distribution point for its new Metro-style apps. At the Store Preview, the company described the app policies and business terms for the store. In a blog post on the new store, Microsoft Corporate Vice President Antoine Leblond shared additional details about the developer opportunity coming on Windows 8 with the Windows Store.--"Combining the broad reach of Windows, a new developer platform, best-in-class developer tools, a reimagined user experience, support for new chipsets, and a built-in Store with industry-leading business terms—Windows 8 is the largest developer opportunity, ever," Leblond said.
App discoverability and promotion are top priorities in the Windows Store with the benefits of app listing pages, trial periods and search with Bing and promotion through Internet Explorer, Microsoft said. As Microsoft has to consider the enterprise, enterprise apps will be supported in the Windows Store. "Apps listed in the Store are visible to all Windows 8 users, so enterprise apps can be offered in the Store, just like any other Metro style app. Enterprises can choose to limit access to the Windows Store catalog by their employees, or allow access but restrict certain apps. Microsoft also laid out its app certification process.--The goals of the Windows Store app certification process are to ensure trusted, quality experiences for consumers and a simple, transparent process for developers through the App Certification Kit, Windows Developer Dashboard and the Windows Store App Certification requirements, found here.
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