UPDATE: Microsoft has confirmed that the universal Windows apps will be able to run on the Xbox One.
Bringing the company closer to it goal of a single operating ecosystem across all its devices, the new Windows universal apps also be compatible with the Xbox One.
In fact, the universal apps will make sure that the apps are identical to their Windows counterpart thanks to the ability for developers to make a single app that runs across Windows Phone 8.1, Windows 8.1 and the Xbox One as well.
Of course, this means that the apps can also feature Xbox One Kinect support, and will be compatible with the new Windows Kinect.
“There’s no better TV experience out there than Xbox,” said Microsoft Executive VP of Operating Systems Group, Terry Myerson.
DirectX 12 will also arrive across all three Windows platforms, making sure the graphics are consistent.
“Windows Phone, Windows and Xbox will all have the same graphics in DirectX 12,” added Myerson. “It really is phenomenal technology.”
Original Story: Microsoft has announced that Windows developers can now create universal apps that work on tablets, smartphones and desktop platforms.
Windows Phone 8.1 has allowed Microsoft to let developers create universal apps that work across all form factors and can be optimised for all three levels.
One single API can be used to create a single app that looks beautiful on all Windows platforms, whether that be Windows Phone 8.1 or Windows 8.1 on your desktop.
This should bolster the app offering with Windows Phone 8.1, something which has always been a negative point for the mobile platform when compared with the vast offerings available with Android’s Google Play Store and the iOS App Store.
At last count in December 2013, the Windows Phone store offered 200,000 apps for Microsoft’s mobile users.
“The current holiday shopping season and all the great promotions are just underway, and we’re already seeing momentum build with the Store surpassing 12 million transactions per day and Windows Phone Store surpassing 200,000 apps,” read the Windows Blog at the time. “The best news is that we’re just getting started.”
Microsoft seems to be making it easier for developers to infuse all the Microsoft app stores with content, but still making sure they can be mobile optimised from the off.
Developers will be able to tune their app according to the platform, even adding smartphone or tablet specific features without having to create a separate app.
This also means that any app you purchase, you’ll automatically have that app across all your Windows devices.
Not only does that apply to an app as a whole, it also applies to in-app content. If you purchase any in-game or in-app items, that content will be available in any version of the app you access.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
