Ask YC: why doesn't Microsoft have a Windows App Store? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask YC: why doesn't Microsoft have a Windows App Store?

#11

Post by graemep » Sat, May 23, 2009, 1:39 PM UTC

trezor wrote: post #9

Because, just like Mac users, Linux* users and users everywhere which has a full rich user-interface, not a minimal mobile interface, they like to be able to get applications from any source, not just one central location. While the Apple AppStore no doubt is successful, Apple has most definitely proven just how bad that idea works out in practice, and how trying to control it effectively leads to inconsistent censor…

Non-geek Linux users do not custom compile stuff. They do download packages or binaries with installers, or perhaps add a repo, but then, as you point out, an MS app store would not rule out downloading or purchasing elsewhere.

I agree with your other points.

It would also be very difficult to set up the deals with enough other vendors for it to be worthwhile. I can imagine many of them not being happy relying on a single channel.

Also, the presence of software on CDs in shops is good marketing for MS - a major objection to MacOS and Linux is "I cannot buy software for it in the shops around here".

If they excluded open source, it would reduce what is available. If they include it, they would give a message that they do not want to about free (in both senses) software.

Re: Ask YC: why doesn't Microsoft have a Windows App Store?

#12

Post by access_denied » Sat, May 23, 2009, 2:14 PM UTC

The appstore makes sense for Apple, because...

- quality control for end-users. Like when Nintendo started with the NES.

- cutting the middle-man out of app marketing - good for third-party developers.

Microsoft does not care for neither party. Microsofts strategy with DOS/Windows was always about tight-knit contracts with OEMs.

Re: Ask YC: why doesn't Microsoft have a Windows App Store?

#13

Post by cellis » Sat, May 23, 2009, 2:14 PM UTC

Fear not, young padawan! (I firmly believe that) An xbox mobile is coming...There is already an XNA marketplace which will segue nicely into this venture. Brush up on your C#.

Re: Ask YC: why doesn't Microsoft have a Windows App Store?

#14

Post by itgoon » Sat, May 23, 2009, 2:37 PM UTC

If nothing else, anti-trust concerns could be enough to put a damper on things.

Then, there's a host of liability concerns ("Microsoft said it was okay").

That said, I think there is, and has been, plenty of room for improving application management in the Windows space.

One of the things that I appreciate about Ubuntu/CentOS is that I don't have to look for apps, nor even worry if I'm getting the correct version (usually :) ) I just select it, wait, and then start using it.

Windows really needs this kind of simplicity. It's too big a chunk of work for me to pull off (negotiating with Redmond would be an effort, all by itself), but coming up with a Windows "distribution" would be really cool. Something reasonably well-tested, with a means of easily selecting and installing apps which have also been tested.

(Edited to fix an incomplete sentence)

Re: Ask YC: why doesn't Microsoft have a Windows App Store?

#15

Post by dchest » Sat, May 23, 2009, 2:58 PM UTC

There were a lot of discussions in shareware community about Windows Marketplace, and how it would push every non-Digital River/eSellerate (they were payment providers in Marketplace) registration service out of business back in the days when Vista was known as Longhorn. People were preparing for crazy code signing "Design for Windows"-like schemes, because it seemed like Marketplace would be as big as AppStore today.

Well, Windows Marketplace failed. (I think there's still an icon for it in Windows Start menu?)

Re: Ask YC: why doesn't Microsoft have a Windows App Store?

#16

Post by fauigerzigerk » Sat, May 23, 2009, 3:10 PM UTC

access_denied wrote: post #12

The appstore makes sense for Apple, because... - quality control for end-users. Like when Nintendo started with the NES. - cutting the middle-man out of app marketing - good for third-party developers. Microsoft does not care for neither party. Microsofts strategy with DOS/Windows was always about tight-knit contracts with OEMs.

Apple hasn't cut out the middle-man so much as replacing him by ... Apple itself. They have become the super middle-man, not just for marketing but for distribution and conflict resolution and what have you.

Re: Ask YC: why doesn't Microsoft have a Windows App Store?

#17

Post by whacked_new » Sat, May 23, 2009, 3:17 PM UTC

Lots of conjectures flying around here with or without basis.

This site says they will have one:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/news/show/91276/steve-ballme...

Re: Ask YC: why doesn't Microsoft have a Windows App Store?

#18

Post by briansmith » Sat, May 23, 2009, 3:20 PM UTC

access_denied wrote: post #12

The appstore makes sense for Apple, because... - quality control for end-users. Like when Nintendo started with the NES. - cutting the middle-man out of app marketing - good for third-party developers. Microsoft does not care for neither party. Microsofts strategy with DOS/Windows was always about tight-knit contracts with OEMs.

How is Apple cutting the middle-man out? They are the middle-man!

And, Apple's strategy is also about a tight-knit contract with an OEM--itself. That's about as tightly-knit as it gets.

Re: Ask YC: why doesn't Microsoft have a Windows App Store?

#19

Post by gtufano » Sat, May 23, 2009, 3:34 PM UTC

fauigerzigerk wrote: post #16

access_denied wrote: post #12

The appstore makes sense for Apple, because... - quality control for end-users. Like when Nintendo started with the NES. - cutting the middle-man out of app marketing - good for third-party developers. Microsoft does not care for neither party. Microsofts strategy with DOS/Windows was always about tight-knit contracts with OEMs.

Apple hasn't cut out the middle-man so much as replacing him by ... Apple itself. They have become the super middle-man, not just for marketing but for distribution and conflict resolution and what have you.

You are somewhat right, but there are two faces in Apple being the super middle-man: 1) the good fact that it is "fair". The underdogs leave to them the same amount of money of the big brasses (30%). Any application starts the same, and you don't need special marketing effort to start up. At least, not the same effort you should have to start from scratch. You can use your time to have a better application, not to market it better. And I REALLY like this one. 2) the fact that they have the "last word" on what goes into the AppStore definitely stinks. No need to add to this. I can understand how this happens, but it stinks.

The fact is that me (and many thousand other) still prefer the reason (1) to the reason (2) and this is the success of AppStore.

Returning to "why Microsoft don't have it": because they don't need the indie developer and they will not upset the bigger brands to help a new market develops. The competitor of Apple in the mobile space are trying to start their store (Nokia, RIM)... if Apple can start the AppStore for OS X (and it have the same success, things I don't know if possible), we will, probably, see the Microsoft Store for Windows... otherwise I don't think so...

Re: Ask YC: why doesn't Microsoft have a Windows App Store?

#20

Post by halo » Sat, May 23, 2009, 4:30 PM UTC

As I've previously posted, they did (http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=618707):

Microsoft included Digital Locker with Vista allowing you to purchase applications from 3rd parties via Windows Marketplace, but it has since shutdown, presumably due to lack of popularity.