After building up the number of applications for Windows Phone 8, Microsoft’s next step could be to get them on Windows 8 tablets and computers. While the two platforms are meant for different device types, they do share many core components. Thanks to a recent Microsoft job posting, it looks like app unification between Microsoft’s phone and PC platforms is coming sooner rather than later.
Mary Jo Foley spotted the Feb. 7 posting and notes that the development platform for the two is similar, although not quite the same. But the company is surely looking for improved platform sharing based on the posting:
“Are you excited about Windows Phone? Are you passionate about delivering the best possible experience to the developer community? Do you wish the code you write for Windows Store apps would just work on the Windows Phone and vice versa? If so, then this is the role for you! We are the team leading the charge to bring much of the WinRT API surface and the .NET Windows Store profile to the Phone.
We are looking for a highly motivated and technically strong SDET to help our team bring together the Windows Store and Phone development platforms.”
The end result would be to vastly decrease the effort that developers need to support both Microsoft platforms. Windows RT running on ARM-based chips throws a small wrench in the works, but as we’ve already seen on some Android devices using Intel chips, it’s not a major obstacle with the right tool set.
Developers wouldn’t be the only beneficiaries of course. Windows Phone 8 users that have favorite apps could extend that experience to a Windows 8 tablet, laptop or desktop.
If done right, the initiative could not only boost the available apps for Windows 8, but make such devices more appealing to Windows Phone 8 owners. And it may even sell some Windows Phones if Windows 8 users want a buy once, run everywhere Microsoft app experience.
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