Description (Microsoft Windows Store apps):
Microsoft Windows Store ,digital distribution platform owned by Microsoft started as app store for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 as primary means of distributing Universal Windows Platform apps. With Windows 10, Microsoft merged its other distribution platforms (Windows Marketplace, Windows Phone Store, Xbox Music, Xbox Video, Xbox Store, and a web storefront also known as “Microsoft Store”) into Microsoft Store, making it a unified distribution point for apps, console games, and digital videos. Digital music was included until the end of 2017, and E-books were included until 2019.In 2015, over 669,000 apps were available on the store. Categories containing the largest number of apps are “Books and Reference”, “Education”, “Entertainment”, and “Games”. The majority of the app developers have one app.As with other similar platforms, such as the Google Play and Mac App Store, Microsoft Store is curated, and apps must be certified for compatibility and content. In addition to the user-facing Microsoft Store client, the store has a developer portal with which developers can interact. Microsoft takes 30% of the sale price for apps. Prior to January 1, 2015, this cut was reduced to 20% after the developer’s profits reached $25,000.
