Android apps will no longer be coming to Windows 10

Microsoft originally told us that reworked Android and iOS apps would be able to run on Windows 10. Microsoft is still planning on keeping part of that promise, but now has decided to stick to just iOS.

Microsoft has not come right out and said Android porting is dead, but it’s definitely on hold for now. One way we knew this would happen is because Microsoft’s Project Astoria, the codename for it’s Android app porting, has developer forums that are a ghost town. Also, Microsoft removed the Android subsystem in the final version of Windows 10 Mobile. This system enabled the ported Android apps to run on Windows.

Even from the start, porting Android apps to Windows Mobile seemed like a poor attempt as developers barely had to make any changes to get their apps to run. The iOS option, on the other hand, allows developers to create universal apps across tablets, PCs, and phones.

Microsoft’s official response:

“We’re committed to offering developers many options to bring their apps to the Windows Platform, including bridges available now for Web and iOS, and soon Win32. The Astoria bridge is not ready yet, but other tools offer great options for developers. For example, the iOS bridge enables developers to write a native Windows Universal app which calls UWP APIs directly from Objective-C, and to mix and match UWP and iOS concepts such as XAML and UIKit. Developers can write apps that run on all Windows 10 devices and take advantage of native Windows features easily. We’re grateful to the feedback from the development community and look forward to supporting them as they develop apps for Windows 10.”

Source: Windows Central
Via: The Verge

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