Microsoft announced on Wednesday a move that will allow iOS and Android developers to port apps directly into its new Windows universal app platform.
The company detailed two new software development kits on stage at Microsoft's Build developer conference in San Francisco. Developers can "reuse" Java and C++ code for Windows. Meanwhile, iOS developers can "reuse" Objective C code to build for Windows devices.
This means Microsoft users will eventually be able to run Android apps on Windows 10 phones, tablets and PC computers. It will cast a wide net to non-Windows developers as a part of an effort to bring more apps over to the platform.
Microsoft noted that app company King has already used the new capabilities to bring Candy Crush Sage to the Windows Phone.
Windows 10 welcomes all developers and code.#Windows10 #Build2015pic.twitter.com/Yo4IKAteZf
— Windows (@Windows) April 29, 2015
The overall goal, of course, is for Microsoft to ramp up the app ecosystem so it can become a bigger player in the crowded smartphone market.
"Windows phones will include an Android subsystem," said Microsoft's Terry Myerson, noting how Windows phones will run tweaked Android apps.
It's big news for Windows fans too; the bottom line: they'll soon be able to use Android and iOS-based apps like Candy Crush on their Windows devices. One of the biggest disadvantages Windows device owners have dealt with is the limited number of native apps available on the platform. Now, users can lean on Android apps to fill out what they're looking for.
Although Microsoft didn't go into detail about how everything will work, more information will likely trickle out of the conference sessions on Thursday.
It's also unclear how the news will be perceived in the Windows developer community. Ahead of the announcement, tech blog Thurrott called the potential of the concept "a slap in the face."
"This sends the message that they have wasted their time and that it’s time to move on to a more successful platform since, after all, the apps you create for Android will now work on Android and Windows/Windows Phone," the article says.
The news comes nearly a year afterBlackBerry teamed up with Amazon to bring Android apps like Netflix, Candy Crush and Pinterest to BlackBerry 10.
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