Microsoft has an insignificant app store where I think I’ve purchased some screensavers before. They made a big splash this week by making the claim that they are committed to developer freedom and allowing alternate payment methods if developers choose.
But this App Store is meaningless, so the gesture is meaningless. If Microsoft really wanted to put their money where their mouth is, they would open up the Xbox gaming console to alternate payment methods. Something that they won’t ever do, because that’s where the real money is.
But the fact of the matter is this. Microsoft just turned their app store into a flea market. It’s headed to fragmentation that will make the customer experience worse than ever.
Now, any vendor on their app store can be required to force their customers to setup a new account. This means managing your credit card and password info among all the apps instead of just the app store. And good luck getting any help from Microsoft if you ever need a refund or have a dispute. That will now have to be handled directly with the app.
I remember how I felt when I got my first iPhone. The whole concept of all of my software in one spot was delightful. But the real payoff was when I got my second iPhone. The realization that I could easily re-download all of my software without having to go find any software codes was mind-blowing.
Coming from the Windows world, I literally kept a binder with codes which would allow me to re-download software if I ever got a new computer. It was horrible. I never imagined that Apple would be relentlessly attacked by developers who desire a return to the bad old days. This would be a huge step backwards for consumers.
But the fact of the matter is this. Microsoft just turned their app store into a flea market. It’s headed to fragmentation that will make the customer experience worse than ever.
Now, any vendor on their app store can be required to force their customers to setup a new account. This means managing your credit card and password info among all the apps instead of just the app store. And good luck getting any help from Microsoft if you ever need a refund or have a dispute. That will now have to be handled directly with the app.
I remember how I felt when I got my first iPhone. The whole concept of all of my software in one spot was delightful. But the real payoff was when I got my second iPhone. The realization that I could easily re-download all of my software without having to go find any software codes was mind-blowing.
Coming from the Windows world, I literally kept a binder with codes which would allow me to re-download software if I ever got a new computer. It was horrible. I never imagined that Apple would be relentlessly attacked by developers who desire a return to the bad old days. This would be a huge step backwards for consumers.
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