Microsoft to adopt app store guiding principles for Windows, but not Xbox
In a thinly veiled shot at Apple's App Store, Microsoft has adopted 10 guiding principles that it will apply to its Microsoft Store on Windows 10.
Credit: Microsoft
Microsoft has been critical of Apple's App Store and developer guidelines, specifically as they relate to the company's Xbox Game Pass cloud streaming service.
On Thursday, Microsoft published a list of principles that it says it will adopt for its Microsoft Store as a way to show it will "practice what we preach."
Some of the principles include not blocking rival app stores from Windows, not barring apps with alternate payment systems, and charging "reasonable fees that reflect the competition we face from other app stores on Windows."
"For software developers, app stores have become a critical gateway to some of the world's most popular digital platforms," Microsoft wrote. "We and others have raised questions and, at times, expressed concerns about app stores on other digital platforms."
On the other hand, Microsoft won't be applying those same principles to its Xbox system, claiming that "game consoles are specialized devices optimized for a particular use."
"Console makers such as Microsoft invest significantly in developing dedicated console hardware but sell them below cost or at very low margins to create a market that game developers and publishers can benefit from. Given these fundamental differences in the significance of the platform and the business model, we have more work to do to establish the right set of principles for game consoles," the company wrote.
The guiding principles that Microsoft says it will adopt are inspired and build upon the work of the Coalition for App Fairness, a nonprofit comprised of technology companies and advocates that push for freedom and choice and competition.
Some of the principles include ones that seem specifically aimed at Apple's guidelines, including allowing third-party app stores and not using an app's data to compete with them. Its members of the Coalition include companies that have had dust ups with Apple in the past, including Basecamp and Epic Games.
Microsoft executives have previously raised concerns about Apple's App Store policies to antitrust investigators. Company president Brad Smith has called for a formal antitrust review of the app marketplace, but doesn't believe that the Xbox game store needs similar review.
Similarly, the two companies are in the midst of a dustup due to Apple's prohibition of cloud-based streaming platforms. Microsoft has accused Apple of treating gaming apps "differently," and even after Apple loosened rules, the Windows maker said that they still make for a "bad experience."
Credit: Microsoft
Microsoft has been critical of Apple's App Store and developer guidelines, specifically as they relate to the company's Xbox Game Pass cloud streaming service.
On Thursday, Microsoft published a list of principles that it says it will adopt for its Microsoft Store as a way to show it will "practice what we preach."
Some of the principles include not blocking rival app stores from Windows, not barring apps with alternate payment systems, and charging "reasonable fees that reflect the competition we face from other app stores on Windows."
"For software developers, app stores have become a critical gateway to some of the world's most popular digital platforms," Microsoft wrote. "We and others have raised questions and, at times, expressed concerns about app stores on other digital platforms."
On the other hand, Microsoft won't be applying those same principles to its Xbox system, claiming that "game consoles are specialized devices optimized for a particular use."
"Console makers such as Microsoft invest significantly in developing dedicated console hardware but sell them below cost or at very low margins to create a market that game developers and publishers can benefit from. Given these fundamental differences in the significance of the platform and the business model, we have more work to do to establish the right set of principles for game consoles," the company wrote.
The guiding principles that Microsoft says it will adopt are inspired and build upon the work of the Coalition for App Fairness, a nonprofit comprised of technology companies and advocates that push for freedom and choice and competition.
Some of the principles include ones that seem specifically aimed at Apple's guidelines, including allowing third-party app stores and not using an app's data to compete with them. Its members of the Coalition include companies that have had dust ups with Apple in the past, including Basecamp and Epic Games.
Microsoft executives have previously raised concerns about Apple's App Store policies to antitrust investigators. Company president Brad Smith has called for a formal antitrust review of the app marketplace, but doesn't believe that the Xbox game store needs similar review.
Similarly, the two companies are in the midst of a dustup due to Apple's prohibition of cloud-based streaming platforms. Microsoft has accused Apple of treating gaming apps "differently," and even after Apple loosened rules, the Windows maker said that they still make for a "bad experience."
Comments
I doubt that Apple would loose too much money by allowing 3rd party app stores - even if this would mean that the commission is going down.
Security should also remain intact, because 3rd party app stores would need to use install permissions granted by Apple (in contrast to jail breaking).
It's easy for Microsoft to adopt these principles because their reputation isn't based around security and privacy for its customers.
Secondly, the comparison makes no sense: they're comparing their desktop operating system to a mobile operating system, which they have to do because their mobile platform crashed and burned.
Here's the real comparison: MacOS App Store and Windows 10
And whaddya know, we're looking at a completely empty gesture because you can get apps outside MacOS store and use a separate app store if you want to. (In fact lots of apps available on the Mac App store are also available on SetApp)
Regarding platforms - isn’t apple trying to make the iPad a desktop competitor - I think it’s perfectly reasonable that all platforms should be open to allow apps installed from different sources, it’s up to the user to decide whom to trust.
What a dumb idea. So Apple should go out of it's way and spend money on opening iOS to make it less secure WHY?
"3rd party app stores would need to use install permissions granted by Apple (in contrast to jail breaking)."
What an f'n joke. Now Apple needs to manage various App Stores at once. Again, WHY?
My goodness it gets worse.....
1. Apple will probably be regulated (by law) to do so and Microsoft reacted in advance
2. Security comes from iOS - the App Store is not good in this respect
3. And no - Apple does not need (and has no right) to manage various app stores - iOS applies the security rules and the app stores itself need to comply with the law
As outlined before the app store is not very good in respect of security but more regarding conformity.
If I could get the same app from a company I trust for less in an alternate app store - so why not?
On my Mac most of the software is not from the app store - and the Mac does not even sandbox this software, so why should I hesitate buying from another iOS app store software that will be perfectly sandboxed?
Next.
If a consumer does not like it he/she can go to other platforms.
I prefers Apples Approach and i pay a premium for it !
The choice is there. Go to another platform that pleases you.
In case you haven’t noticed it yet, there is a concerted and orchestrated effort by several a major ISVs including MSFT to break Apple’s dominance in the competitive marketplace. Simply put, all of these companies that have failed to compete against Apple on a level competitive playing field are trying to use the court of public opinion and political hacks to do what their engineers were unable to accomplish when presented with the challenge to out-innovate, out-perform, and out-satisfy buyers in the markets that they compete against Apple. They have basically given up and thrown in the towel because they couldn’t compete on a level playing field, so now now they want to tilt the field. Quite pathetic and demoralizing for the people involved. Microsoft and its army of mediocrity is shooting for a big shiny participation trophy and guaranteed payday, courtesy of Uncle Sam.
At least Gates and Balmer tried to win.
Harrison Bergeron
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Bergeron
"In the year 2081, the 211th, 212th, and 213th amendments to the Constitution dictate that all Americans are fully equal and not allowed to be smarter, better-looking, or more physically able than anyone else. The Handicapper General's agents enforce the equality laws, forcing citizens to wear "handicaps": masks for those who are too beautiful, loud radios that disrupt thoughts inside the ears of intelligent people, and heavy weights for the strong or athletic.
One April, 14-year-old Harrison Bergeron, an intelligent, athletic, and good-looking teenager, is taken away from his parents, George and Hazel Bergeron, by the government. They are barely aware of the tragedy, as Hazel has "average" intelligence (a euphemism for stupidity), and George has a handicap radio installed by the government to regulate his above-average intelligence.
Hazel and George watch ballet on television. They comment on the dancers, who are weighed down to counteract their gracefulness and masked to hide their attractiveness. George's thoughts are continually interrupted by the different noises emitted by his handicap radio, which piques Hazel's curiosity and imagination regarding handicaps. Noticing his exhaustion, Hazel urges George to lie down and rest his "handicap bag", 47 pounds (21 kg) of weights locked around George's neck. She suggests taking a few of the weights out of the bag, but George resists, aware of the illegality of such an action.
On television, a news reporter struggles to read the bulletin and hands it to the ballerina wearing the most grotesque mask and heaviest weights. She begins reading in her unacceptably natural, beautiful voice, then apologizes before switching to a more unpleasant voice. Harrison's escape from prison is announced, and a full-body photograph of Harrison is shown, indicating that he is seven feet (2.1 m) tall and burdened by three hundred pounds (140 kg) of handicaps.
George recognizes his son for a moment, before having the thought eliminated by his radio. Harrison himself then storms the television studio in an attempt to overthrow the government. He calls himself the Emperor and rips off all of his handicaps, along with the handicaps of a ballerina, whom he proclaims his "Empress". He orders the musicians to play, promising them nobility if they do their best. Unhappy with their initial attempt, Harrison takes control for a short while, and the music improves. After listening and being moved by the music, Harrison and his Empress dance while flying to the ceiling, then pause in mid-air to kiss.
Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, enters the studio and kills Harrison and the Empress with a ten-gauge double-barreled shotgun. She forces the musicians to put on their handicaps, and the television goes dark. George, unaware of the televised incident, returns from the kitchen and asks Hazel why she was crying, to which she replies that something sad happened on television that she cannot remember. He comforts her and they return to their average lives."