Windows 8 store has 450 Metro-style apps and counting

Windows Store also officially opens to businesses

Though only released - and even then in a limited fashion - Wednesday, the Windows Store is burgeoning with Metro-style apps for Windows 8.
At last count, the number had reached 450, and while that's still far below the 500,000 found in Apple's store, it's not too shabby for an OS only 24 hours old.
Metro-style, for those who don't know, are apps developed from the ground up using Microsoft's WinRT programming interfaces.
So far, most of the apps appear to fall into consumer-focused and games categories.
Microsoft's been making efforts over the last few months to recruit a wide swath of developers and is hosting a conference in October where its expected to provide further guidance on creating apps for its newest OS.

The store's open

Microsoft also announced the Windows Store is now officially open to qualifying businesses looking to sell their apps. All a business needs to do is have its account registered and verified by Microsoft.
Because most developers won't be able to create Windows 8 apps until August 15, when the system will likely be available to most of them, Microsoft is encouraging developers to build apps in their Release Preview, which the company opened up in May.
Individuals looking to submit apps will have to wait for guidance on how they can do so as Microsoft has not yet come up with a plan for non-businesses.

Ditching "Metro"

It was also announced Thursday that Microsoft has started telling developers to refrain from attaching the word "Metro" to their apps and documentation if they refer to the Windows Phone or Windows 8.
Instead, developers are being urged to use "New User Interface" to describe Microsoft's unified design.
The change may be related to a dispute with a German company over Metro naming.
A rep from Microsoft said "Metro" has been a code name throughout the development process of it's products and the company plans to switch to a broader consumer name when products - like Windows 8 - publicly launch.
In September 2011, Microsoft said only Metro-style apps would be available at the Windows Store.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean release date: when will you get it?

Updated Is your device in line for the Jelly Bean upgrade?

Google has announced the latest version of its mobile platform, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, at its annual I/O event in San Francisco, with it appearing alongside the first device to run it, the Google Nexus 7 tablet.
However the Nexus 7 won't be the only device which will end up running the sugary named update, with a host of phones and tablets set to receive the upgrade. Google has also announced that it plans to have Jelly Bean running on the Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus and Motorola Xoom in mid-July.
Update: the Nexus S started receiving updates to Android Jelly Bean in Asia on 19 July, with more markets set to follow soon after.

The Motorola Xoom is an unusual choice, as it's already been usurped by the Xoom 2, and in the UK Carphone Warehouse claims that the Nexus 7 will be the only tablet running Android 4.1 for four months.
If the Ice Cream Sandwich roll out is anything to go by, then manufacturers are likely to take their sweet time about getting Android 4.1 out to consumers, and some devices may miss out.
We've contacted all the major players in the Android market, to find out what their plans are for the Android Jelly Bean upgrade, here's what we've heard so far;

Android Jelly Bean: Samsung

Samsung has already issued the following statement regarding upgrades to new versions of the Android OS – although unfortunately it doesn't give us any clues on when we may see Jelly Bean land on devices, or indeed which ones will get it.
"In the case that a new version of an Android operating system is publicly announced and released, Samsung will review the possibility of implementation to existing Samsung products with the Android operating system ('Update').
"Such a review will be based on various factors including, the overall effect of the update to Samsung products, the system requirements, the structural limitations, and the level of cooperation from the component suppliers and the software licensors.
"If Samsung decides to make the update available to the users it will be released upon successful completion of development."
Google though confirmed in its keynote that Android 4.1 would be coming to the Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus in mid-July.
Update: Apparently Samsung is currently testing Jelly Bean on the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S2 and is expected to roll the update out to customers in August or September.
Update: The latest line from Samsung is: "The rollout of Android 4.1, Jelly Bean, has started with Galaxy Nexus HSPA+ and Nexus S devices. We will announce updates to the rest of our Galaxy portfolio of devices in due course."
Update:Independent website Sam Mobile claims it has word from 'inside sources' that Android 4.1 will be rolled out to the Galaxy S3 at the end of Q3 or the beginning of Q4. It goes on to say that the Samsung Galaxy S2 and Galaxy Note are next in line for the update after the S3.

Android Jelly Bean: HTC

HTC has announced it will be bringing Jelly Bean to at least three of its models, which is good news for those that like newer handsets:
"We know HTC fans are excited to get their hands on Google's latest version of Android. At this point in time, we can confirm that we have plans to upgrade our HTC One X, HTC One XL and HTC One S to Jelly Bean," am HTC spokesperson told us.
"Please stay tuned for more updates regarding device upgrades, timing and other details about HTC and Jelly Bean."

Android Jelly Bean: Motorola

Motorola has confirmed that it has not released its plans regarding the Jelly Bean update yet.
However Google said it was planning on getting Jelly Bean onto the Xoom tablet in July.

Android Jelly Bean: LG

Back in February at MWC 2012, we spoke to LG regarding the Jelly Bean update and the manufacturer confirmed it would guarantee an upgrade to Android Jelly Bean for all compatible 2012 handsets.
We will have to wait and see if it delivers on that promise.
Update: A spokesperson for the firm has told TechRadar: "LG will continue to support the latest android platforms, across LG devices however at present an exact date is not yet confirmed."
Update 2: Sources at LG tell us the relevant phones in the range will be updated to Jelly Bean by Q1 2013, with the roll out beginning in Q4.

Android Jelly Bean: Asus

During MWC 2012, Benson Lin, Asus' Corporate Vice President told TechRadar: "Asus is very close to Google, so once they have Android 5.0 I think there will be a high possibility that we will be the first wave to offer the Jelly Bean update."
Update: An official letter posted on the Asus Facebook page has confirmed that it will be bringing the Android 4.1 update to its Transformer Pad 300, Transformer Pad Infinity and Transformer Prime tablets in "the coming months".
It goes on to say: "We are still investigating Jelly Bean updates for other devices, but we are not in a position to confirm whether any other products will be eligible for an update at the moment."

Android Jelly Bean: Sony

Sony has confirmed that a host of Sony Ericsson Xperia handsets from 2011 will not be getting an update to Android 4.1, which means the likes of the Sony Xperia Arc Sand the Xperia Mini Pro will miss out.
As far as Sony's plans for Jelly Bean go Sony Mobile's UK product manager, John Cooper said: "We currently don't have anything to announce regarding Jelly Bean for the Xperia S."
Update: However fear not, as Sony has now retracted this comment, posting the following response on the official Sony Xperia blog.
"A quick note – during a Q&A session last week on our Sony Mobile GB Facebook page, a local spokesperson gave information out in error on our Android 4.1 Jelly Bean software development and rollout for 2011 Xperia smartphones.
"We are actively investigating Android OS upgrades for all devices, but in the meantime, our Ice Cream Sandwich rollout for Xperia S and 2011 Xperia smartphones continues as planned."

Android Jelly Bean: Acer

According to Dutch site Tablet Guide, Acer will be updating some of its Android tablets to Android 4.1, although it was unable to say which models would be lucky enough to get it and when it would start rolling it out.

Android Jelly Bean: Toshiba

Toshiba has confirmed that it will be providing Android Jelly Bean to its AT200 and AT300 tablets, although no time frame was given for the roll out.
We spoken to Toshiba, who said it was unable to comment on the Jelly Bean update at this time.

Android Jelly Bean: ZTE

A ZTE spokesperson has told TechRadar: "Although Google has released information about Jelly Bean, Google is yet to publish the source code release date.
"Therefore it is currently impossible to estimate a date for the ZTE Jelly Bean upgrade at this point in time. Based on historical forecasts, Google requires 1-2 months to complete the source code release before manufacturers can begin to develop Jelly Bean based versions of devices."
Not wanting to be left behind, ZTE has launched the first Android Jelly Bean handset in China, and third in the world, in the form of the ZTE N880E. It's unlikely to make it to other territories, but it shows manufacturers can get Jelly Bean out the door quickly.

Android Jelly Bean: Intel

Intel has confirmed that it is working with Google on a Jelly Bean port for its Atom processors, which will allow the latest version of Android to run on handsets and tablets with Intel inside, such as the Orange San Diego.
There's currently no sign of a release date, so we're going to have to wait for more information on the progress of this project.

And the rest

We're stilling waiting to hear from other Android device manufacturers including Huawei and Panasonic.
Make sure you bookmark this page, as we'll be updating this article as and when we hear back from manufacturers regarding their plans for the Android 4.1 update.
In the meantime, take a look at our hands on Android 4.1 review to see what the jelly Bean update will be bringing.

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Saturday, 11 August 2012

Windows 8 app store pitiful?