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Amazon has just released its official application for Microsoft’s new Windows 8 operating system, allowing users to access the popular products and view recommendations without actually leaving the Metro/Modern interface.

The program is obviously available for free in the Windows Store and it offers support not only for 32- and 64-bit versions of the operating system, but also for Windows RT and, consequently, for Surface RT.

The feature list is at least impressive, as the Amazon for Windows 8 app allows you to quickly search for products, read product descriptions and reviews, add products to the shopping car or to the wish list and even purchase products.

“The Amazon app allows you to quickly make purchases, search, compare prices, read reviews, and share products with friends using a simple yet elegant interface. Shop just as you do on the web,” the official description of the app reads.

Click here to load the app’s product page in your browser

Microsoft is busy preparing its next-generation Windows client, shortly after shipping Windows 8 in October. The Verge has learned from several sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans that the company is planning to standardize on an approach, codenamed Blue, across Windows and Windows Phone in an effort to provide more regular updates to consumers.

Originally unveiled by ZDNet, the update on the Windows side, due in mid-2013, will include UI changes and alterations to the entire platform and pricing. We’re told that Microsoft is aiming to make Windows Blue the next OS that everyone installs. The approach is simple, Microsoft will price its next Windows release at a low cost or even free to ensure users upgrade. Once Windows Blue is released, the Windows SDK will be updated to support the new release and Microsoft will stop accepting apps that are built for Windows 8, pushing developers to create apps for Blue.

A dozen of Windows 8 users are complaining that a Windows 8 update causes the Start Screen to freeze, while all the other apps fail to respond.

While Microsoft is yet to confirm the problem, it appears that most consumers affected by the issue have deployed an official Windows 8 update, although some of them are actually claiming that all problems appeared two or three days after the update has been installed.