14 DAY TRIAL // One of the key features of Windows 10 Mobile, the new Microsoft mobile operating system that will see daylight later this year, is the possibility of running Android and iOS apps with no or only small tweaks made to the original code, and it's all thanks to projects that are currently being worked on at the Redmond-based tech giant.
As far as Android apps are concerned, Microsoft is developing Project Astoria, a new solution that will allow developers to quickly port their apps to Windows 10 Mobile.
And developer documentation that has been published online by WMPU today finally provides us with a closer look at this project, as Microsoft has only revealed few details until now.
First and foremost, changing the original code of an Android app to run on Windows 10 Mobile will only be needed if the original app uses Google Play Services. Otherwise, it should run as is, without any change, the documentation reveals.
SDK available cross platform
The SDK will be released by Microsoft on both Windows and Mac, and that really makes sense. Microsoft wants to target as many developers as possible, so making these solutions available everywhere is critical.
Currently, Project Astoria is being tested behind closed doors, and Microsoft is only letting a limited number of developers try out its Android porting solution based on invitation. So unless Microsoft asks you to join the program, it is pretty much impossible to see what this is all about.
Windows 10 Mobile is projected to launch in just a couple of months, so Project Astoria should be ready by then and let everyone bring Android apps on Microsoft's operating system with minimum effort.
Until now, developers haven't expressed overwhelming interest in porting their apps to Windows, so it'll definitely be a challenge for Microsoft to convince them to do it.
If you want to view all Project Astoria documents, you can find them here.