14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 9 is set to bring an important set of changes for users of Microsoft's operating system, including a unified experience across multiple devices thanks to a redesigned Windows Store.
According to a number of media reports that have emerged lately, Redmond is currently working on what could be a mix of the existing Windows Store and the Windows Phone Store, thus trying to address the lack of apps on the existing platforms.
It turns out however that Microsoft is having more than that in mind, as the company might after all merge the entire development process of the two operating systems.
Citing insiders, Microsoft watcher Paul Thurrot is reporting that the tech giant wants to merge not only the Windows Store and the Windows Phone Store, but also the app environments, including the runtimes, APIs and SKDs.
Microsoft hasn't yet commented on these rumors, but the company indeed hinted that such a mix could be possible in a future Windows version.
“We really should have one silicon interface for all of our devices. We should have one set of developer APIs on all of our devices. And all of the apps we bring to end users should be available on all of our devices,” Terry Myerson, the man in charge with the operating systems group at Microsoft, said recently.
“Each of our devices require a tailored experience to be really special for the customer, whether that's a three-inch phone, or it's a 9-inch tablet, or a 14-inch clamshell, or a 60-inch television playing Xbox games, we want to facilitate the creation of a common, a familiar experience across all of those devices, but a fundamentally tailored and unique experience for each device.”
As far as Windows 9 is concerned, sources familiar with the development process previously indicated that it could launch in November 2014, after previously reaching RTM during the summer. An early beta is likely to be released in early 2014.