14 DAY TRIAL // With Windows 10 Mobile, Microsoft's finally trying to address the lack of apps that impacted Windows Phone by bringing Android and iOS apps in the store, but for the moment, both projects are on hold and are very unlikely to debut until sometime next year.
What's more, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has recently hinted that Android apps are no longer a priority for the company, as the concept of universal apps is now the number one focus, which, according to the new boss of the firm, needs more time to succeed.
But tech analyst Jeff Kagan does not agree with this approach, and just like former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who said that Android apps must arrive on Windows, he believes support for apps developed for Google's platform is what Windows Phone needs to be saved.
“I think after more than a decade of trying but getting their nose bloodied time and time again, Microsoft should consider this suggestion of supporting Android apps on the Windows Phone as a first step. If Windows Phone was a hit and was a viable third option, we wouldn't even be thinking of this question,” Kagan was quoted as saying.
Universal apps
While Android and iOS apps on Windows 10 Mobile could certainly tackle the lack of apps on Windows, Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella believes that universal apps are what the company needs right now, not only to succeed with Windows as a platform but also to remain independent of other OSes.
Universal apps are designed to run on multiple devices with different screen sizes, so they can be installed on PCs, tablets, and smartphones, with the UI to automatically adjust once launched. These apps are published in the unified store that's now available on all Windows devices.
Until now, universal apps are yet to gain traction, but Microsoft's CEO says that more time is needed for this to succeed, so the next months will definitely witness a struggle for the company to convince more developers to embrace this new concept.