>The difference is that MS / Apple do not provide any value-add to the products sold via them other than a store front. If they want to have a store thats fine. But I should also be able to go to another store (e.g. Amazon or whatever) or have my own store. Having only one store is a monopoly - there are obvious issues with that. Secondly, we sell products that users pay monthly for since we also provide (a) data for the product, and (b) continuous upgrades and new versions. I have no intention of handing over 20% of our company revenue to anyone.

They provide some value-add to the products sold via them by validating that the app isn't a rogue or a virus and that it respect a given standard of quality.

>They just uglier on Windows 8. And no start button.

Why are they uglier on Windows 8? I'm using a bunch of "standard" apps on Windows 8 and other than having a centered caption on the windows, I don't see any difference than on Vista. The start button is the new "Modern UI" interface you get at startup.