Metro App Cert requirement 3.3 is unclear

Question

This requirement states:
"3.3 Your app must provide the same user experience on all processor types
If your app has a different user interface or functionality when it runs on different processor types, you must submit a separate app for each processor type and describe the differences in the Description of each app."

These statements are contradictory... please clarify.  The first statement says you "must do X", the second statement says, "if you don't do X, here's what else you have to do"

Additionally and more importantly, in other meetings w/ MSFT, we've been told that an app does not need to support both ARM and IA.

Answer 1

Hello,

To clarify, the app will need to function and respond the same with an x86 or x64 processor alike. If this means that a separate app must be written for both architectures, then that would be the solution.

The app must be written so that it can be used with any type of processor, and look and feel the same with both. If the app cannot be written to perform the same way in either architecture then a separate app must be submitted for each architecture.

Answer 2

You mention x86 and x64, but not ARM.  Does this also apply to ARM?  If yes, how is this possible if an app relies on a specific hardware capability that exists on 1 architeture but not another?

Answer 3

The app version would need to have exactly the same function with any processor.

If an app version relies on a specific hardware capability and will not function the same in a different environment, then a separate app version must be developed and submitted for the other environment.

If an app version will not perform the same with any type of processor, then you must submit a separate version of the app for each type of processor it will be used with. I hope this helps!

Answer 4

Jesse,

Can I write an app that targets ONLY one specific architecture - e.g. ONLY IA or ONLY ARM and upload it to the store? 

Answer 5

Hi Devinder,

Please continue checking the app certification requirements periodically for clarification.