Announced on April 02, 2014 at Build 2014, Microsoft‘s developer conference, universal apps for the Windows ecosystem enable developers to create one app that can be easily optimized to take full advantage of multiple Windows devices, including tablets, smartphones, desktop PCs and the Xbox One.
Leveraging the Windows 8.1 Update
According to Microsoft, the universal app for Windows projects allow developers to develop apps for the for Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 8.1 Update that target the full range of Windows devices using Visual Studio 2013 Update 2 Release Candidate. Developers can use approximately 90 percent of the same code, a single packaging system, and a common user interface to target apps for phones, tablets and PCs. Users will only need to purchase the app once and it will work on multiple devices.
More for App Developers
Further improving app development, Microsoft will also release the next version of Windows App Studio, a Web-based tool for non-developers that enables the creation of universal Windows apps in a single project and update to the Windows Store to improve app discoverability and monetization.
