Nine years ago today, we covered Microsoft’s attempt to reposition Universal Windows Platform apps closer to traditional desktop software. At the time, Microsoft was trying to bridge two worlds by giving UWP developers more access to system-level capabilities while promoting the idea of a unified app model across devices. The article captured a moment when Microsoft was still pushing hard to modernize Windows development and convince developers that UWP had a long-term future.
Looking back, it serves as a snapshot of a strategy that never quite landed, but it also shows how Microsoft was already beginning to shift toward the more flexible and open approach that defines Windows application development today. — Daniel Rubino, editor-in-chief
The following article was originally published in May 1, 2017by Daniel Rubino.
Interestingly, Microsoft may also change its messaging around UWP. With Windows 10 Mobile declining rapidly, here’s why Microsoft might be looking to double down on the desktop.
Confusion about UWP
Microsoft’s UWP has always created misunderstandings, especially among consumers. Some have thought it meant that all applications built with the platform could run anywhere, so “universal” here refers to the hardware endpoint.
However, that is not accurate.
Microsoft means “universal” to refer to the tools that allow developers to bring their product to the Windows Store. That’s why all the apps listed in the Store are technically UWP still. not all those apps can run on mobile devices.
Universal also refers to non-consumption characteristics such as shared pricing structure, joint in-app purchases, the ability to install on multiple devices, and unified ad units.
We can attribute this confusion to Microsoft’s bad names and poor messaging. A familiar theme, no doubt.
However, it’s not just consumers who have difficulty understanding UWP, at least conceptually.
Some developers also believe that UWP is for creating simple phone apps that can run on your PC and not the other way around. I’ve written about this before because the “app model” is very phone-centric. Developers see UWP in light of Microsoft’s biggest failure to date. That is It’s not good.
Microsoft believes that UWP will one day displace Win32 applications, also known as “classic” desktop programs. That moment is still far away, since UWP is not as powerful as Win32, but for Microsoft, the goal is to get closer to that reality.
Every year UWP grows, more features are added and that goal is within reach. But developers are still reluctant to adopt UWP partly because of the stigma: Yes, stigma – from Windows 10 Mobile.
Stay away from phones
Microsoft Third Quarter 2017 Earnings Report It solidified the company’s intention to move away from phones, at least for now.
Some of that distancing in the consumer space may help Windows 10 and UWP. This is how.
Sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans tell us that developers were more receptive to UWP once mobile devices (and specifically phones) were removed from sale.
That result may seem surprising, but if UWP is intended to be a long-term replacement for Win32, making it look analogous to modified phone apps is not the way to do it. And evidently that’s the current perception: UWP creates phone apps for your PC.
Microsoft believes that for UWP to be successful you need to do a few things:
- Win first on PC and desktop.
- Demonstrate how it will be better than Win32.
- Convince developers that it’s not just about phone apps.
The first point about “winning” on the desktop refers to having successful apps and Games appear in the Windows Store. Developers and consumers must change their perception of the Store from a collection of applets with semi-full desktop application functionality to true desktop alternatives.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 15, used by the Puente Centenario Project, is an example. Another is the djay Pro recently releasedwhich was ported from iOS using Project Islandwood Bridge.
For games, high-profile releases like nuclear shelterminecraft and Resident Evil 7: Biohazard represent what UWP is supposed do.
UWP needs those types of releases so that developers and consumers see value in the platform and the Store.
The software achievements mentioned above demonstrate the power of UWP when done right.
The djay Pro app is a hugely complicated version with support for location-aware Surface Dial functionality, complex UI elements, timed audio synchronicity, and more. The company behind the Windows 10 version of djay Pro gushed about how wonderful it was to be able to bring their application, without limitations, to Windows 10 without having to hire a whole new team.
These are the kinds of stories Microsoft wants to highlight, and my gut tells me you’ll see the company heavily promote such releases in BUILD and in advertising.
Succeed on PC, then go to Mobile
If you think about it, the whole concept of UWP seemed backwards to developers. Windows Phone was never a lucrative investment for developers even though Nokia tried its best to make it happen.
It’s the old “put the cart before the horse” scenario, and it’s hitting Microsoft hard.
However, if Microsoft can distance itself from phones and make UWP successful on desktop, things will change. Now the model looks like you are taking powerful and robust desktop applications and magically making them run on mobile devices. Technically, that was always the truth, but it’s an easier sell for everyone. once you try it.
This strategy is not speculation either. Microsoft will position UWP first and foremost as a true desktop development system for high-end games and applications in the future. This attempt is one of the reasons Phone is deprecated for now.
If UWP can’t succeed on PC, Xbox, Mixed Reality, etc., it has no hope for mobile devices either.
This reasoning differs from what I argued abovewhich is UWP, can’t work with phones. While Microsoft would be in a much better position if they hadn’t ineptly destroyed its phone business for the fourth time in a decade, the situation is so bad that it was negatively affecting Windows 10 and UWP.
All of this, however, is more unpleasant news for Windows Phone fans. Counterintuitively, instead of putting all its forces behind the phone market, it will put all its efforts into desktop, tablets and Windows. Mixed realityIoT and other platforms. Bring as many developers into the (currently) successful part of the business as possible and then slowly bring back mobile devices once they have the hardware ready and the apps available to consumers.
As every analyst knows, even if Microsoft were to launch an excellent “Surface phone” tomorrow with mind-blowing innovation and design, it still has the problem of lack of apps. It will simply fail. Microsoft needs to solve that, but it’s not going to do so by launching a dead-end phone. Instead, they will put all their effort into making UWP as powerful and successful as possible and return to a new device category once all the pieces are in place.
Microsoft’s new push into education is the right move, at the right time
None of this is really good news, but I can’t think of any other approach at the moment either. Microsoft 100 percent needs UWP to be successful in the future of Windows.
Lastly, it is important to create more device categories and markets. Microsoft’s announcement about May 2 It will show that the company is serious about entering new segments such as education with all its strength. Doing so will also greatly benefit developers and the UWP model.
