Microsoft aims to make it easier for Android and iOS developers to bring their apps into the Windows Store and be part of its universal Windows app platform.
Kicking off its BUILD 2015 developer conference on Wednesday, April 29, in San Francisco, the company detailed two very intriguing software development kits that would welcome Android and iOS apps to its Windows ecosystem.
More specifically, Microsoft has opened up special applications for developers willing to test out its new tools for converting an Objective C, Java, or C++ mobile app to work on Windows 10.
For Android developers, the company unveiled "Project Astoria," which will allow them to convert existing code in order to publish it on the Windows Store, thus porting their Android apps to Windows.
On the other side of the barricade, "Project Islandwood" consists of iOS tools that will allow devs to import their XCode projects straight into Visual Studio. Existing code will reportedly require minimal changes in order to work.
This means that users will eventually be able to run Android and iOS apps on Windows 10 devices, which should greatly contribute to the expansion of the Windows app ecosystem. App company King, for instance, has already managed to take advantage of the new tools to bring Candy Crush Saga to the Windows Phone, Microsoft pointed out. By boosting its app ecosystem, even if it means welcoming apps from rivals Android and iOS, Microsoft could get a bigger share of the crowded and increasingly competitive smartphone market.
Both the Islandwood and Astoria projects are currently running in limited preview form, which means that interested developers who want to give it a shot will have to apply for access on the respective app pages. Once Windows 10 starts its official rollout this summer, however, the tools will become available for all.
"Windows 10 welcomes all developers and code. #Windows10 #Build2015," Microsoft touted on its official Windows account on Twitter.
The company also announced several other exciting news, and more will be unveiled soon. For more details regarding Microsoft's 2015 developer conference, which takes place on April 29 - May 1, head over to the company's BUILD website at this link.
