Microsoft states that only the appsdownloaded from Microsoft’s app store would be permitted to run inWindows 8.
Microsoft has been following the policywhich allowed anyone to run an application of their choice for a longtime. Besides, it also permitted any application to be downloaded asper an individual’s choice. Interestingly, this policy is now goingto change with the introduction of Windows 8. Microsoft is planningto join hands with Apple and dominate the world market by becomingthe tech censors in the world.

Like in case of iPhone or iPad, Applepermits the user to buy app for its products only through Apple’sapp store. In fact, Apple has already used its power couple of timesto ban all the apps which Apple doesn’t want its customers to use.A few days ago, Apple forbid an app named Phone Story from its storewhich had a relatively bad impact on Smartphone manufacturersdeveloping iPhone and Android.

A couple of apps were also banned byApple due to political reasons, like that in China. Apple has bannedits Chinese users from downloading any app mentioning about DalaiLama or Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer. This move was consideredHippocratic as the app featured the Dalai Lama’s “ThinkDifferent” ad campaign. It also removed the Wiki Leaks app from itsApple store. Besides, it had also banned an app of politicalcartoonist named Mark Fiore. The cartoonist had received PulitzerPrize and when Apple realized its value, they put the app back in thestore.

On the other hand, Microsoft hasallowed one and all to download or run the app of their choice.However, this is soon going to be history with the advent of Windows8. Microsoft has announced that it would allow metro apps downloadedfrom its own app store to be run in PC’s.

According to Microsoft, this has beendone to ensure that all the Metro apps are safe to use in devices. Incontrast, one can download and use any app for the Desktop as per thecustomer’s choice. It is quite a thing to worry about as Microsoftwishes to keep just one part of its OS safe.

This is not a surprise that the reasonfor this new policy is related to money. According to Computerworld,the documents of Microsoft reveal that programmers will have to pay acertain amount of money to upload their apps to the Windows Store.Thus, in the process Microsoft would receive around 30% of it asrevenue. This observation was recently exposed in “Primer forcurrent Windows developers.” However, Microsoft discarded thereference about its revenue sharing in the documents.

Last but not the least, the wholestrategy of vetting the apps for download through a Microsoft’sstore is about getting involved in the leadership. It must be thebuyer’s choice to run any software on its device. Limiting thischoice in any way involves censorship. In contrast to Apple,Microsoft must follow Google’s model which promotes the user todownload any app and run on Android.