Microsoft unveils consolidated price tiers for Universal Windows apps

Microsoft, following its announcement of its 'Universal Windows apps' model at the Build Conference, has given some behind-the-curtain details by unveiling the consolidated and simplified price tiers for developers on the corresponding app stores.

The official announcement comes from the Redmond-based firm's Windows blog, which stated "This week we began rolling out the behind the scenes infrastructure changes in support of announcements at last week's //build/ conference. This includes the consolidated price tier structure, which is the first change that will be noticeable to you, as your app prices may have changed as a result."

Microsoft, in its blog post, says that the simplified price tiers would help them in achieving two goals - simplifying app pricing for developers with a single set of price tiers across Windows and Windows Phone platforms, as well as increasing developer opportunity by adding $0.99 and $1.29 (USD) price points for Windows apps, for apps priced in this range represent 55 percent of the Windows Phone platform's paid transactions.

In addition to this, Microsoft also changed the foreign exchange rates, taxes and "market-specific pricing customs" as a part of their periodic change. The firm also mentions that developers can visit the Microsoft Dev Centre to review the app pricing and for making any necessary changes.

The Universal Windows apps aim to bring a new common Windows runtime to PCs, phones, and tablets (and the Xbox One). Consumers will be able to buy an app on one platform, and be able to use its migrated counterparts on other platforms, even retaining in-app purchases if any. This would be enabled via shared app identities. More details on the Universal Windows apps can be found from our Build Conference coverage.