14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 10 will definitely be a game-changer for Microsoft, not only because the tech giant is working to make the OS more appropriate for use on PCs and smartphones but also thanks to new features that would create plenty of new opportunities for developers.
One of the ways that Microsoft is planning to change Windows 10 is by bringing Android apps in its new OS, thus addressing the lack of apps and providing users with more choices when it comes to third-party programs that can be used on their devices.
As our resident smartphone expert Cosmin Vasile reported to you a few hours ago, the project that's supposed to bring Android apps on Microsoft devices is still alive, which means that Redmond is indeed considering such an option for Windows 10 and Windows 10 for phones.
But what's more interesting is that it appears that the company actually found a very handy way to make this possible and easier for developers who want to launch apps on Windows 10.
Coding for multiple platforms at the same time
As WMPU notes, Visual Studio 2015 comes with options that allow developers to create what Microsoft calls “multi-device hybrid apps using C#,” which is in essence an application designed to run on a specific platform but which can be ported to another one with the press of a button.
Specifically, developers can still create applications for Android and iOS, but with built-in VS 2015 tools, they can easily port them to Windows without additional resources or too much time spent for this (as these were previously two key reasons developed didn't code for Windows, in addition to the small market share).
Microsoft's original plan was to simply port Android apps to Windows or implement technology that would emulate them on PCs and phones, but this could lead to additional issues that could be experienced when trying to access built-in Windows features.
The new coding tools, however, would not only bring developers on Windows 10 but would also encourage them to use Microsoft's tools, which is pretty much a double win for the software giant.
As usual, Microsoft hasn't provided any details about a project that would bring Android apps on Windows, but there's definitely some truth behind all these rumors, so expect more information to surface soon.