Microsoft had recently undergone quite a bit of criticism recently for the inflated number of apps in the Windows Store, a few of which were confusing and misleading. Well, it seems that Microsoft has heard the moans of consumers and developers alike and the Windows-maker is addressing those complaints with a number of different policy changes that will make it easier for users to find the app that they're looking for.
"As Windows Store expands to reach more customers in more markets with a growing list of great titles, we are continuously looking for ways to improve both customer experience and developer opportunity," Microsoft said in a blog post detailing the changes to how apps get certified for the Windows Store:
- Naming – to clearly and accurately reflect the functionality of the app.
- Categories – to ensure apps are categorized according to the app function and purpose.
- Icons – must be differentiated to avoid being mistaken with others.
These app certification changes will be in effect for both the Windows Store and the Windows Phone Store. In addition to the policies applying to newly submitted apps, Microsoft is also conducting a review of older apps in both stores as well.
"These revised policies are being applied to all new app submissions and existing app updates for both the Windows and Windows Phone Store," the company said.
According to Microsoft, many of the developers are receptive to the changes and will alter their apps to meet the new guidelines. However, there are a few who aren't willing to comply, and Microsoft says that it had removed approximately 1,500 non-compliant apps for egregiously violating these policies.
And to show that it is on the consumer side, Microsoft said it would be gladly issuing refunds to apps that users had downloaded because of a misleading title or description.
What do you think of Microsoft's changes? Is the company being as pro-active as you'd hope and like?
Source: Microsoft
