Xbox One To Support Windows 10 Apps Soon; Xbox Store To Merge With Windows Store

When Microsoft had launched Windows 10 last year, it had announced that developers would be able to make use of Windows Universal Platform (UWP) to create apps that would run seamlessly on other Windows 10 devices like PCs, smartphones, Xbox One and so on. Fresh speculations suggest that Xbox One consoles will support Windows 10 apps by summer this year.

Microsoft has been consistently working on narrowing the gap between its Xbox One gaming console and its new Windows 10 operating system. According to Business Insider, during the Game Developers Conference, Jason Ronald who pioneers Xbox Advanced Technology Group for Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox One devices will support Universal apps by summer this year. He has also revealed that the Xbox Store will be merged with Windows Store.

This will allow developers to create apps that will run on multiple Windows 10 devices with slight modifications for optimized performance. As of this writing, it is not known what sort of user experience UWP apps will be able to deliver on Xbox One.

User make use of input devices like keyboards and mouse for desktops and laptops. Devices like tablets and smartphones generally come with touch support. However, the only input device that comes with the Xbox One is its gaming controller. For gesture and voice support, users are required to use an additional Kinect accessory.

In the previous year, the Redmond giant had confirmed that it working on bringing support for keyboard and mouse for Xbox One. This may allow users to conveniently use the UWP apps on the Xbox One.

Ronald has also stated that at the beginning there won’t be many UWP apps available for Xbox One. However, the company aims to gradually introduce support for more UWP apps for Xbox One users. Neowin has reported that Microsoft may reveal more details on it through the upcoming Build 2016 developer conference that will take place at San Francisco from March 30 to April 1.