Microsoft’s  operating system updates, Windows 8 and Windows  RT, were released on October 26, 2012. The existing PAD v3.11 specification and its companion validator, do not include support for either OS. Software Portals, Catalog Sites and related Directories that haven’t updated to  PAD4 and rely on v3.11, will have to upgrade with full PAD4 support, to update their product listing submissions by publishers who do use PAD v4.0.

Our mission is to support both the software developers and existing PAD supporting sites to migrate their PAD files and submission tools to the v4.0, making it easy for end users to see what products are legitimately compatible with Windows 8. However, the release of third-party “Metro” like apps, which are designed for Windows RT hardware platforms as well as Windows 8’s App Store, isn’t yet supported under PAD4. The next major specification update to PAD, v4.1, will include PAD settings for applications that are part of the Microsoft Windows 8/RT AppStore, with direct links to Microsoft’s official online home page for the application.

Both the ASP PAD Committee and members of the AppVisor team welcome suggestions and any proposed changes to both new, existing operating systems featured in the PAD Specification. ASP members are invited to participate in the Association of Software Professionals’ PAD Committee Forum and post their questions and suggestions there.