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Universal Windows apps have been announced the Build 2014, the Microsoft Developers Conference, but they’ve started being rolled out yesterday. Microsoft has started rolling out the first of its universal Windows apps for Windows and Window Phone, which allow the users to buy one app and have it on PCs, phones and tablets.
Universal Windows Apps
The first two apps of the kind are Halo: Spartan Assault and Skulls of the Shogun, both developed by Microsoft. The games cost $4.99 each and can be bought through the Windows Phone Store and obviously, the Windows Store. What we thought was a bit weird, is that when we went to the Windows store, it didn’t say anywhere that these two apps were universal Windows apps. The Windows Phone Store, though, had a little notice which mentioned that the apps were made for Windows Phones and Windows PCs. More exposure would have helped, no doubt, but it’s too late in the evening to question Microsoft and its decisions.
Other apps which Microsoft turned into universal Windows apps are its classic and evergreen games, such as Solitaire, Mahjong, Wordament, Minesweeper and Hexic. Yes, Microsoft is trying to woo us with Solitaire. Well done, Microsoft! Apple’s somewhere laughing its behind off, while planning to revolutionize smartwatches and Microsoft just made Mahjong into a universal Widows app. I guess it’s nice for those corporate workers who want to make sure that their Solitaire scores from their work PCs can migrate to their home tablets.
Jokes aside, Microsoft broke the news of universal Windows apps at their Build 2014 convention. Porting apps between tablets, PCs and phones is something pretty awesome and with this move, Microsoft is finally taking a big step forwards. In case you didn’t know, Google Play (Android) and iOS App Store (Apple) have offered universal aps since the beginnings. Microsoft next big step is, we speculate, uniting their Windows and Windows Phone stores.
Good news, Xbox One owners, universal Windows apps will be coming to the Xbox, but Microsoft hasn’t mentioned a date just yet. What we do know is that the team over at Xbox is have full control over which apps get to appear on the console. For example, Halo: Spartan Assault is available on Xbox One, but you must purchase it separately from the Windows version. Just minor details that we hope will be smoothed over in the shorted amount of time.
What are your thoughts on the universal Windows apps? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.
