The first desktop apps ported into the Universal Windows Platform have now been made available for download at the Windows Store.
The ports were made possible through the Desktop Bridge, which Microsoft announced at this year's Build conference. The tool allows developers to port their existing apps and games to the UWP using the Desktop App Converter and then adding the UWP functionality. The app or game can then be gradually migrated into all Windows 10 devices over time, including smartphones, the Hololens augmented reality headset and the Xbox One gaming console.
According to a Windows blog post from a few days ago, the first apps that will be ported through the Desktop Bridge are Arduino IDE, doubleTwist, Evernote, korAccount, MAGIX Movie Edit Pro, PhotoScape, Predicted Desire, Relab, SQL Pro, Virtual Robotics Kit and Voya Media. The post said that Windows 10 users who have installed the Anniversary Update will be able to see the apps in the Windows Store over the coming days.
These apps are now available for download, a few months after developers gained access to the Desktop App Converter upon the launch of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. The apps can be found in the Desktop Bridge section of the Windows Store.
In addition to the ported apps, Microsoft has also added the Desktop App Converter to the Windows Store, allowing developers to receive updates and new features as soon as the company releases them.
While the ability to port apps into Windows 10's UWP is a big deal for developers, Desktop Bridge could negatively impact the overall performance of the software, according to a report by Tom's Hardware.
Apps that have been developed for a certain device or platform are usually optimized and work best for that specific device or platform. With the Desktop Bridge using a semi-automated process to port the apps into Windows 10, there is a chance that there will be cases of decreased app efficiency.
In recent Windows 10 news, Microsoft has released the Insider Preview Build 14926. The latest build includes new features for the Edge browser, along with several improvements for both PC and mobile.
One of the features shown for the Edge browser is a Snooze function that allows users to add web pages into reminders from Cortana, which will then show up in the Action Center and as notifications. With this feature, users will be able to save web pages to prevent having to keep multiple tabs open.
