Supporting a Windows Store device app

Article
01/23/2014

IHVs and OEMs develop Windows Store device apps to expose their device's functionality in Windows 8. Device metadata associates the device with the Windows Store device app. When the user first plugs in their device, this app is downloaded from the Windows Store. This installation is seamless: it requires no extra work on the part of the user to obtain the software that they'll use to configure and control their device. Users also have the option of searching for Windows Store device apps in the Windows Store and downloading them manually. Windows Store device apps for internal system hardware can be pre-installed by the OEM for the most seamless user experience.

Windows Store device apps can be written for common devices (printers, web cams, or portable devices that support the WPD API). In addition, Windows Store device apps can be written for specialized devices like credit-card readers, eBook readers, and health or fitness devices.

The following webpages tell you more about developing a Windows Store device app.

Topic	Webpage Description
The Device Experience for Windows 8	Provides general info about Windows Store device apps.
Windows Store device apps for Camera	Provides info about building Windows Store device apps for webcams. These apps extend the experience for capturing photos and videos in Windows 8.
Mobile Broadband: Enabling Windows 8 Mobile Operator Experiences	Provides info for mobile network operators to ensure that their mobile broadband hardware is ready for Windows 8 and enable mobile operator apps.
Windows Store device apps for Print	Provides info about creating a Windows Store device app for print.
Windows Store device apps for Specialized Devices	Provides info about creating Windows Store device apps for specialized devices.
Device Metadata	Provides info about the device metadata that ties a device to a Windows Store device app.