Microsoft Crap Apps have caused heavy inconveniences to its users, reason why the company's Window Store are having a hard time to take off. In a blog post Wednesday, the company announced that it has already taken measures to remove the bogus applications that are plaguing Windows Store subscribers. Microsoft said that around 1,500 deceptively named applications have been removed. This move is part of the company's policy shift to give "worldwide customer base easy access to amazing app experiences while keeping developer friction to a minimum."
"These revised policies are being applied to all new app submissions and existing app updates for both the Windows and Windows Phone Store. We've also been working on titles already in the catalog, conducting a review of Windows Store to identify titles that do not comply with our modified certification requirements. This process is continuing as we work to be as thorough and transparent as possible in our review. Most of the developers behind apps that are found to violate our policies have good intentions and agree to make the necessary changes when notified. Others have been less receptive, causing us to remove more than 1,500 apps as part of this review so far (as always we will gladly refund the cost of an app that is downloaded as a result of an erroneous title or description)."
Microsoft said that such move was taken after they heard that many users complained about the difficulty to find the apps that they are searching for. First measure the company taken is to modify their Window Store App certification requirements. These changes include the following:
- Naming - to clearly and accurately reflect the functionality of the app.
- Categories - to ensure apps are categorized according to the app function and purpose.
- Icons - must be differentiated to avoid being mistaken with others.
The move to eliminate Microsoft Crap Apps doesn't stop here according to the company. It said that that the "Store review is ongoing and we recognize that we have more work to do, but we're on it. We're applying additional resources to speed up the review process and identify more problem apps faster."
