In December, Microsoft took the covers off their Windows Store feature that will be launched as part of Windows 8. They also launched a separate developer"s blog site that offered more information about what app creators can expect from this downloadable software store. In a recent update to that blog site, Microsoft"s Aayaz Bhorania, the Lead Program Manager for the Store Services time, offered up some more information on how the store will handle selling apps in different markets.
Bhorania reported that since the Windows Store preview event in December, Microsoft has expanded the number of countries that will allow developers to submit apps to the Store. Instead of just 27 markets, there will now be 41 markets worldwide that will be approved for app submissions. Overall, Bhorania states, "At general availability of Windows 8, the Windows Store will enable developers to sell apps in more than 200 markets, with support for local currencies in over 70 markets, and developers can localize their apps in more than 100 languages.
He adds that Microsoft will be adding to that list over time, saying, " ... our support will continue to increase—more local catalogs, more markets that support developer app submission, more local currency support—as we expand the Store service beyond general availability of Windows 8."
Individual app developers must live in one of the 41 Windows Store markets in order to registered an app with the store. Companies must also be registered in at least one of the official Windows Store markets.
The blog also gives some advice for app developers on how to offer their apps to other countries, including their language and currency. Bhorania confirms, "We’re inviting a select number of developers from a few markets to submit apps during the Beta. We will use this limited set of markets to pilot test our model and validate our services." Microsoft will also pick eight apps from its recently concluded First Apps Contest to be part of the beta test.