While unveiling Windows 10 last year, Microsoft’s Terry Myerson stated that the popular operating system is completely redesigned for the “mobile-first, cloud-first world.” Microsoft also announced its decision to deliver Windows experience across a wider range of devices by making Windows 10 run on many new devices. The company further allowed the people using both pirated and licensed versions of its operating system to migrate to Windows 10. That is why; when Windows 10 was officially announced by Microsoft, it got downloaded more than 14 million times just in 24 hours.

Microsoft has already revealed its plan to release Windows 10 Mobile this fall. The upcoming mobile version of Windows 10 will replace Windows Phone. Windows 10 Mobile is designed with a number of new and out-of-box features that will have a huge impact on Windows app development and deployment. Microsoft allows developers to try Windows 10 Mobile beta to know the new features and functionality. The latest version of the popular mobile operating system will further make it easier for Universal Windows Apps that run seamlessly on the desktops, laptops, smartphones and tablets powered by Windows 10.

Windows 10 Mobile Features that will Change Windows Mobile App Development

Universal Windows Platform
Microsoft encourages developers to build applications compatible with different types of devices powered by Windows 10. The developers can take advantage of the Universal Windows Platform to launch different versions of the same app for both desktop and mobile devices. Windows 10 Mobile comes with features to enable programmers to make the same app run on a variety of Windows devices without making any major changes to the code.

Continuum
Windows 10 Mobile also includes a new and out-of-box feature called Continuum. Continuum will enable users to use their mobile device just like a temporary PC. The user can simply plug his Windows 10 Mobile device into a monitor, and connect a keyboard and mouse. The user interface of the mobile device will automatically look like the desktop interface of the PC. Thus, he can now access his mobile apps on a desktop-like interface. The programmers have to keep the option in mind while designing the use interface of the mobile app.

Cortana
While using Windows 10 Mobile, users can use Cortana as a smart voice-based digital assistant. Now they have option to use Cortana to accomplish a variety of tasks like taking notes, get reminders, play music and gather traffic information. The updated version of Cortana further allows users to access third-party services and control other devices simply by giving voice commands. While developing apps for Windows 10 Mobile, programmers have to focus specifically on Cortana. They have to enable users to operate apps simply by giving voice commands.

Option to Port iOS and Android Apps
The constant fluctuations in the worldwide market share of mobile operating systems make it essential for modern enterprises to build cross-platform mobile devices. Often developers have to use licensed cross-platform tools to build the same app for multiple mobile platforms. Microsoft makes it easier for programmers to build cross-platform mobile apps by allowing them to port iOS and Android apps to Windows 10 Mobile. Thus, the users switching to Windows 10 Mobile will no longer miss the popular apps available in Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Edge Web Browser
Microsoft has also announced a new web browser called Edge. In addition to being a modern web browser, Edge also features an efficient rendering engine called EdgeHTML. The rendering engine makes Edge allow users to browse the web in a more efficient and quicker way. At the same time, Edge is also designed with a number of innovative features like reading list, extensions and onscreen annotation. So developers now have to integrate the new web browser into their Widows 10 Mobile apps to deliver richer user experience.

Improved Keyword
While building apps for Windows 10 Mobile, the programmers have to keep in mind the improved keyboard. Like Windows Phone 8.1, Windows 10 Mobile also uses the Word Flow keyboard. But Microsoft has updated Word Flow by adding several advanced features and functionality. The users can now change the size of Word Flow according to their personal convenience. Likewise, they have option to move the keyboard around the screen without any restriction. The developers need to ensure that the apps allow users to resize and reposition the keyboard without any hassle.

Option to Sync Notifications
While creating mobile apps, developers have to focus specifically on notifications. They have to explore ways to send notifications to users without creating any disturbance. Microsoft now enables users to sync notifications across different devices. For instance, while accessing Skype on both his desktop computer and mobile device, a user now has option to dismiss the Skype notifications only once. Once he dismisses the Skype notification on his PC, it will be automatically dismissed on the mobile device. The developers must take advantage of this feature to serve notifications without disturbing or annoying the end users.

Default Camera App
Windows 10 Mobile will further allow users to sync their photo gallery across multiple devices. It can further create albums and enhance the photos automatically. Likewise, it now uses the popular Lumia Camera app as the default camera app. So all devices powered by the mobile version of Windows 10 will now use the same camera app. The developers need to include features in the app to take advantage of some of the innovative features of Lumia Camera app like 4K video recording and auto-HDR shots.

Support for New Devices
The preview releases of Windows 10 Mobile supports only HTC One and Lumia smartphones. But the final release of the mobile operating system aims to deliver Windows experience across a wider range of mobile devices. So it will definitely support many versions of smartphones, tablets and phablets. Microsoft has already announced that Windows 10 Mobile will support IA-32 system-on-chips from Intel and AMD as well as ARM system-on-chips from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon line. So the developers have to build Windows mobile apps by targeting a wide variety of mobile devices.

Microsoft is expected to announce several smartphones and tablets powered by Windows 10 Mobile. That is why; several analysts have predicted the demand for Windows mobile apps will increase gradually. Many developers will soon build new apps by targeting Windows 10 Mobile devices to get higher returns and avoid competition.