Microsoft offers helping hand for app developers on Arm

Devesh Beri

Microsoft is launching a new Arm Advisory Service to help developers build Arm-optimized apps. This service is free and includes access to technical workshops, code samples and reviews, break-fix assistance, and escalation to Microsoft engineers.

Arm-optimized apps are apps that are designed to run specifically on Arm processors. Arm processors are a type of processor that is known for being energy-efficient and powerful. They are often used in mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. Still, they are also becoming increasingly common in laptops and other computing devices.

The Arm Advisory Service is an engineering advisory program offered by Microsoft at no cost. It helps developers in creating applications that function seamlessly on Arm computers. The program offers a wide range of valuable features, which include technical workshops, code reviews and samples, break-fix assistance, and an escalation path to Microsoft engineers.

The announcement suggests that many apps can work under emulation and can be ported to run natively with minimal effort. This encourages developers to optimize their apps for Arm devices.

Here are some examples of Arm-optimized apps:

  • Microsoft Office apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
  • Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom
  • Spotify
  • 7-Zip
  • Bandizip
  • VLC Media Player

Overall, this announcement highlights Microsoft’s dedication to aiding developers in adapting their applications for Arm architecture, reflecting the company’s commitment to the future of Arm-based devices and the broader ecosystem.