Microsoft Backtracks Plan to Reject Apps with Metro in Title

It seems Microsoft has backtracked on a policy that said it would reject any app with 'Metro' in the title. In other words, it would not make it past the approval process and, as a result, would not appear in the Windows Store for any and all to download. The folks at MarkedUp were first to spot this note in the 'Naming your App' section of the Windows 8 app developer guidelines.

"Note: Make sure your app name doesn't include the word metro. Apps with a name that includes the word metro will fail certification and won’t be listed in the Windows Store," the guidelines advise.

However, it seems Microsoft has backtracked, as Ars Technica reports that this was quickly replaced with a simple reminder not to infringe upon any existing trademarks.

"Make sure to select a name for your app that belongs to you. If you use a name that doesn't belong to you, the owner of that name could have your app removed from the store," Microsoft warns. "If that happens, you would need to change the name of your app and all instances of the name throughout your app and its content before you can submit your app for certification again."

Microsoft is currently working to eliminate the Metro brand and replace it with a new name. Microsoft says that its decision was based on the fact that the Metro UI brand was just a codename that it had long planned to change closer to the Windows 8 launch. However, there's also reports that the company was facing pressure from a European company named Metro AG.

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  • Hellstalker
    And you would think that MS will focus their energy and efforts towards making Win 8 a better OS, ergo, more productive things... Nope, instead they will use their manpower to chase down and squish any thing with the "Metro" name on it... Oh brother
    Reply
  • SoiledBottom
    Dang it ....so there goes my Metro start button app
    Reply
  • invisibilian
    what about metro 2033?
    Reply
  • friskiest
    Its better to avoid using "Metro" well before Windows 8 is released, so people won't "MIS"-associate it with Metro AG- no matter how different the two are. (ex. in Motorola Xoom's case)

    & @ Hellstalker,. except for the UI,. MS actually did an excellent job in making Windows 8 better than its predecessor, if I remember correctly,. there's a universal increase in energy/memory/processor-managements that leads to efficiency (necessary for tablets with finite energy supply).

    Reply
  • mcd023
    friskiestIts better to avoid using "Metro" well before Windows 8 is released, so people won't "MIS"-associate it with Metro AG- no matter how different the two are. (ex. in Motorola Xoom's case)& @ Hellstalker,. except for the UI,. MS actually did an excellent job in making Windows 8 better than its predecessor, if I remember correctly,. there's a universal increase in energy/memory/processor-managements that leads to efficiency (necessary for tablets with finite energy supply).As an example, my Asus G51VX-RX05 (entry level gaming lappy, Core2Duo, 260M) gets 1-1:15 battery on Windows 7 while browsing. On windows 8, I get 2-2:15 battery. So, I'm sold. :)
    Reply
  • master_chen
    Looks like there would be no Metro 2033 on Windows 8...yet one more reason to totally ignore this fail of an OS. I'll still stay with my GODLIKE Windows 7 Ultimate х64 bit, thank you very much.
    Reply
  • killerclick
    mcd023As an example, my Asus G51VX-RX05 (entry level gaming lappy, Core2Duo, 260M) gets 1-1:15 battery on Windows 7 while browsing. On windows 8, I get 2-2:15 battery. So, I'm sold.
    Bullshizzle. You're obviously a paid Microbot PR drone.
    Reply
  • juan83
    No problem for me

    I don't even knew about the micro$oft apps store.. only torrentz get apps xD

    Seriously.. I use linux and sometimes windows XP for some gaming.. i can't make use nor even play in DX11 with a geforce 8600... in the future, maybe i consider to move toward windows 7 (purportedly stable), when I plug something and it doesn't work (i.e. new hardware)

    I tried win XP and XP 64, seven 32 and 64 and I found (beside the fact more than 3 GB of RAM with 64 bit) a minor improvement between windows version. It wasn't the case for Linux, it really makes the difference..

    windows 8 is a waste of money (for those who really pay for software), it was designed for tablets and not for PC, and from my point of view, a waste of HDD space.. I encourage all of you to perform some benchmarks on your own computers with various windows and then came up with some conclusions. leaving aside the esthetic of windows.. who knows.. maybe win 8 really performs better than the former and so on..

    so, my conclusion is: windows xp and seven perform the same in my quad core @ 2.4Ghz , 4gb RAM and an old geforce 8600 GT, then using XP i'm saving HDD for porn or whatever..
    Reply
  • master_chen
    juan83I use linuxI hope that you're my Arch-bro, or else...>:\
    Reply
  • super d spamalot
    master_chenLooks like there would be no Metro 2033 on Windows 8...yet one more reason to totally ignore this fail of an OS. I'll still stay with my GODLIKE Windows 7 Ultimate х64 bit, thank you very much.
    You're aware that the Windows 8 store is only for Metro apps, correct? You're aware that you'll be able to install and run every single piece of software that currently runs in Windows 7 in Windows 8, yeah?

    Or are you just like 90% of the people who visit this site and spout off ignorantly about things they don't understand just because someone else told them it was "bad"?
    Reply