Universal Apps represent Microsoft’s next big push for their Windows developer story, and today at Mobile World Congress Microsoft went into more specific details. One app code which can be used across all device types encourages developers to write good apps for Window because they can reach more users on more devices with the same amount of work. Windows 10 provides the standard platform across IoT, phones, tablets, convertibles, laptops, desktops, all-in-ones, Xbox, large form displays, and HoloLens to run apps fast, efficient, and consistent regardless of input type or screen type.
Microsoft delivers on a promise to make Windows development easy by providing tools for every step of the process. Powerful development tools like Visual Studio make development easy to deploy code for local testing, emulators, or on devices. Visual Studio also ties in nicely with Azure for a solid and reliable backend to host app data. Finally when the app completes development users can expect a uniform experience across their phones, tablets, and desktops ranging from UI elements, animations, and notifications.
Universal Apps make the experience better for developers and users by leveraging rendering engines across devices to render code in the same way making debugging easier when targeting multiple device types. Project Spartan will be the front face of these new web engines, however the same engine will run in app’s WebView controls. Consistent features like this new rendering engine and Cortana are where Universal Apps have an advantage over competitor’s ecosystems.
The wide range of devices supported by Windows 10 gives developers the freedom to write unique apps which would be impossible to use anywhere else. These apps may use different input methods like mouse and keyboard, or need massive screens, or support for 3D printing. Universal apps give developers an opportunity to easily make apps for their need or a specific intent. To get started today developers can join the Windows Insider program to test apps on Windows 10, and start building with today’s Universal Apps which will be well suited for the future.
