Microsoft plans to expand the Windows Store to 33 more markets in next preview release

When Microsoft released the Consumer Preview earlier this year, we got a first look at the new Windows Store. Developers could submit apps from 5 markets, which isn’t many if you looks at how many markets there are around the world. Today, Microsoft has announced plans to expand the Store to over 33 new markets in the new preview release.

“Up to now, the Consumer Preview Store has supported app submissions from developers in five markets, each with a dedicated app catalog (France, Germany, India, Japan and the United States), plus China.”

Microsoft is planning to launch the Windows Store with 33 new markets in the next preview release of Windows 8, which will allow new developers to submit apps to the store, making it significantly more ‘full’.

The Store will also receive 7 new languages, in addition to the current 102 languages. These languages will be usable across the whole store, including the backend for developers.

From today onwards, Microsoft is no longer accepting new app submissions for the current Consumer Preview Windows Store. App submissions should resume for developers in the next preview release, which is expected to launch in late May/early June as the Release Preview. “During this preview timeframe, only select partners can submit Metro style apps to the Store.”