As previously reported, Microsoft held an event in San Francisco to unveil the Windows Store app market launching with the Windows 8 Public Beta in February. It will offer Metro-style applications categorized like most other app store offerings using labels like Entertainment, Finance, Spotlight (AKA featured apps) and Games. Many of these apps will have time-limited trial periods ranging from 24 hours to 30 days, and other free apps will take advantage of in-app purchasing.

Surprisingly, Microsoft's new store will allow consumers to purchase an app and install it on five separate devices. If the app is installed on a sixth device, then one of the other copies will be deactivated as per the Windows Store Terms of Use. Microsoft also requires developers to implement touch- and gesture-based support for all applications, protection against "unintentional large data transfers," and provide a consistent user experience across all processor types -- i.e. no fragmentation allowed. If the latter requirement can't be met, then developers must submit separate versions for each CPU and list the differences in the app's description.

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