Universal apps are slowly gaining traction, it says

Dec 22, 2015 20:09 GMT  ·  By

The number of universal apps arriving in the Windows stores is growing and Microsoft says that it finally sees continuously increasing interest from developers who understood that building just one app and tackle multiple platforms is a huge opportunity for them.

In the last few weeks, several new universal apps launched on Windows 10 PCs and mobile, including Uber, Pandora, Neflix, and AccuWeather, and the Redmond-based software giant believes that this is just the beginning of a bigger transition to its OS of major developers across the world.

Microsoft's Developer Evangelism Chief Steve Guggenheimer explained in a statement for ZDNet that it takes time for the universal app effort to succeed, basically reiterating the words of CEO Satya Nadella who said that Android apps aren't necessarily needed on Windows because Redmond has its own method of attracting developers.

"It takes a while after you get the platform out there to work with developers to get the momentum going," Guggenheimer was quoted as saying.

The lack of mobile apps on Windows

He then went on to explain that Windows as a mobile platform still exists and this universal app concept can finally address the lack of apps that impacted Windows Phone in the past years. He did, however, explain that while developers can work to bring universal apps in the store, Microsoft must build powerful devices that can allow users to experience what these apps can do with no compromises.

"It doesn't matter where they (developers) start. The core work is done for all the (Windows 10) platforms. If you're building for 10, it's already done for phone/ A true Windows 10 (UWP) app is a phone app. It's up to us (Microsoft) to get devices in market that are unique and differentiated for the phone,” he added.

“As (Windows 10) usage goes up, it will be a self-fulfilling place. Our (developer) conversations right now are proactive. But going forward, there will be more traction.”

The number of apps arriving in Windows stores these days is indeed growing, but while Microsoft says that major developers are joining the Windows 10 bandwagon, that's not entirely true. The majority of developers who already launched universal apps are long-time Windows supporters and their apps were already available on Windows Phone and Windows 8, including Netflix and AccuWeather. What they did is update their apps and make them universal, which is indeed helpful, but it doesn't necessarily mean that major developers are embracing the universal app effort.

In fact, there still are major names out there that don't seem to be interested in coding for Windows 10 and the two names that come into everyone's mind are Google and Snapchat. Neither announced plans to release apps for Windows 10 so far.