Windows is looking at a major update to its systems. Microsoft is reportedly planning to make it simpler for its users by creating a single app store that would encompass all of the company’s various devices including PCs, tablets and phones. With all of the success that the new iPhone is having,

Microsoft certainly needs to do something in order to appeal to their consumers. Technology seems to be what makes the world go round in the consumer culture of today’s society, and this is the latest news in that trend, as Microsoft tries to keep up with Apple’s success.

Combining the two stores that are currently separated into the Windows and Windows Phone app stores into a single unit could help lead to more apps and would also make it easier for people, since they will no longer have to shop in two different places. It has not been determined when the two stores will merge, but it sounds like the date may be closer than previously imagined. The Verge mentions that Terry Myerson, head of the operating systems group, has committed to the next releases of Windows and Windows Phone, which will likely be Windows Phone 8.1 and a special update that they have planned for Windows 8.1. These are both due to be released in the spring of 2014.

Combined Windows Phone and Windows 8 app store for early 2014? http://t.co/x1NbGFlOCO

— Christophe Gevrey (@cri) September 27, 2013

Next version of Windows and Windows Phone to share same app store http://t.co/KfdlzytBsI

— Aki Antman (@akipekka) September 26, 2013

We have still yet to find out how the single Windows Store would work, and whether Windows Phone apps will run on Windows in the new model. As it currently stands, users must download apps for their Windows and Windows Phone devices through separate stores, and apps can’t currently run across both systems, according to PC Pro. This creates confusion for people and also prevents them from using apps that they download from one device from operating on the other. For example, PC World states that the game Halo: Spartan Assault, is available on Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, and while the game does allow people to carry over saved progress, they are forced to pay for it on both platforms because the purchases made on the different devices do not carry over.

Some people have voiced their opinions on the dislike of the current store.

Windows 8 forces you to use a Microsoft account for everything, and then put out a useless app store with nothing in it

— Phil (@PhilKSS) September 21, 2013

There are still several unanswered questions that exist with this new information, but there often is with any new type of technology. Windows customers will anxiously await the answers to questions such as how these cross-platform apps would function and what would happen to the apps that people already have downloaded.

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