Microsoft reveals consolidated price tier for Universal Windows apps

Microsoft has announced consolidated price tier for its Universal Windows apps on its blog. The new concept of apps designed to run on nearly all of Microsoft’s devices were unveiled at the company’s BUILD 2014 conference.

According to the post , the Universal Windows apps will be having a price point of $0.99 and $1.29. A very high percentage of paid app transactions (55%) come within this price range, says Microsoft as a reasoning for this range. As a part of its periodic changes, Microsoft also altered the taxes, market-specific customs as well as foreign exchange rates for the apps, meaning there will be some changes in the app’s price in different country stores.

Also with this price structure, the company wants to achieve two targets. One being to offer a single price tier for Windows and Windows Phones devices. Another goal the company says is to increase developer opportunity, so that their apps have the best monetisation opportunity.

The company has asked the app developers to go to its Microsoft Developer Centre to see how these changes have affected the price of their apps, post the periodic changes. Developers will be able to review the price of their app post the new changes and also make required changes. The blog post ends with Microsoft stating that some more additional changes will be unveiled in the next week.

One of the great benefits of single set of price tier is that it will enable users to pay only once for the app and then use it across all three platforms (desktop, smartphones and possibly even Xbox One).  As Microsoft fights a battle to keep Windows and PCs relevant, Universal Windows apps couldn’t have come at a better time. This will attract and encourage more developers who have been primarily targeting one of the two platforms. And it also opens up new revenue streams for app makers. By adding cross-platform support, Microsoft will be able to have a tighter ecosystem lock-in on existing users.