Microsoft’s new application model for Windows 8 comes coupled with a Windows Store for developers and end users.

The Windows Store will play a big role in Windows 8 applications going forward. Microsoft’s new application model for developers builds the foundations of what the Windows Store hopes to achieve. ”The store will represent a place where we can find applications and feel safe about getting these applications onto our machines,” said distinguished Windows engineer Ales Holececk on Monday. Holececk explained that Microsoft wants to be clear with its Windows Store. Developers will be able to submit apps using a development portal that appears similar in looks to the company’s Windows Phone developer network. ”We want to be transparent about the state of the app as it’s going through the on boarding process,” said Holececk. This transparency is key to attracting developers onto Microsoft’s new application platform.

The Windows Store is a Metro style application. The application is built on the same WinRT APIs that developers can use themselves across their Windows 8 Metro apps. Windows Store takes advantage of HTML5 and JavaScript to provide end users with a portal for secure, tested applications. ”When we designed the store we focused on simplicity,” said Holececk. “We divided the store in groups and the groups are themed. It makes it easy to browse through these groups.” Microsoft includes a spotlight section for the top Metro apps in the same way it does on Windows Phone. All applications include a brief overview, full detail page and reviews. The overview section will indicate the supported platform for the application (x86/64/ARM). Holececk insisted apps are not new to Windows. “There’s an incredible number of apps available today that define the Windows experience,” he said. Microsoft will also list important legacy desktop applications in the store.

“We want to make it easy to navigate the store, really easy to find applications,” explained Holececk. “There’s going to be lots more to talk about the Store.” The Windows 8 developer preview does not include access to the Windows Store and Holececk confirmed that the company will “release the store later.”

• New APIs and tools to build metro style apps – delivers a modern platform, great tools, accelerated graphics
• Rapid and scalable development of metro style apps -includes powerful touch-enabled controls, layouts and templates
• Choice of world-class development tools and languages – supports coding in JavaScript, C#, C++, HTML/CSS, XAML for x86/64/ARM
• Business opportunity is the world of windows 8 customers – introduces the windows store