Developers, developers, developers

Developers are key to Microsoft’s current and future platforms. It’s fair to say the company hasn’t made it easy for its loyal community over the years, with constant changes, reversals, and just a lack of key developer APIs to create apps that really shine on Windows. With Windows 10, it’s Microsoft’s opportunity to correct some prior mistakes and really align all of its various products to a single mission. That mission is universal apps, or Windows Apps as they’re now known today. The key to getting a Windows Store full of Windows Apps will be convincing developers to build them, and that’s the biggest task Microsoft faces at Build this week.

Microsoft has re-engineered its new Windows Apps so they’re no longer fullscreen and they work across PCs, tablets, phones, and even the Xbox One gaming console. We’ve seen a few examples of how this could work in Microsoft’s own previews, but this week it’s time for the company to demonstrate the power of Windows Apps and why developers should care. Expect to see universal apps running across all platforms, including the Xbox One, and a clearer idea of when consumers will get access to Windows 10 across PCs, phones, tablets, and the Xbox One.

It's time for a Windows 10 release date

Windows 10

While Microsoft has been previewing the vast majority of Windows 10 to the public, there’s still some parts not everyone has seen. Terry Myerson, the chief of Windows, will be on stage at Build on Wednesday to talk about the progress of Windows 10 and the company’s app strategy. Last year, Myerson revealed the new Start Menu before Microsoft was even ready to talk about Windows 10, and we expect this year to be similarly forward-looking.

Recent rumors have pointed toward a Redstone wave of releases next year that are designed to be updates to Windows 10, and Microsoft previously hinted at a "Windows as a service" model to provide regular updates to the operating system. We expect Myerson to detail this service model more fully, with a look at how Microsoft plans to update Windows 10 once it’s ready this summer. Part of that updating will involve the company’s plans for Project Spartan, its new Internet Explorer successor. Microsoft has not yet named Project Spartan, but we understand the company has a name in mind that it has been trialling in market research. It’s likely that Microsoft will finally name the new brand for Internet Explorer on Wednesday, and clarify how the old browser will exist in enterprise copies of Windows.

Elsewhere, Microsoft has to name the date of when Windows 10 will be available. The company previously said summer, and AMD’s CEO recently revealed it’s likely to be late July. With speculation mounting over the launch date, it’s time for Microsoft to clarify and provide a timeline for when the new operating system will reach devices like the Xbox One or Lumia phones.

Windows Phone

Myerson will also focus on what might become the biggest news of the day: Microsoft eyeing Android apps for Windows 10. While the software maker has been investigating many methods of bringing Android apps to Windows, it has found a solution. Myerson will unveil a series of ways Microsoft is making it easier for developers to bring their code to Windows universal apps from Android, iOS, or elsewhere. Part of that will include better tools for developers and new ways to closely map the functions of Android to Windows so it’s easier for developers to port their apps with small changes. It might not be the ideal solution, but it could be enough to convince Android developers to list their apps in the Windows Store without a lot of effort.

Microsoft eyes Android apps for Windows 10

Getting more apps on Windows Phones is key, but Microsoft also needs impressive hardware to really spur interest in its platform. A new flagship Lumia won’t be available until Windows 10 is available on phones, but that might not stop Microsoft from detailing some of its hardware ideas for the future of Lumia — in particular, how Windows 10 will work on bigger phones or 7-inch tablets. Some leaked screenshots suggest it scales up the Windows Phone UI, and we expect Microsoft to discuss its plans for these devices. Microsoft may also address the idea of allowing hardware makers to create phones that turn into tablets or full PCs, thanks to the versatility of Windows 10 and the new universal Windows Apps.

Microsoft’s work with Windows 10 on phones is very basic in its preview state right now, and many will be looking to see if the company shows more future plans or an updated preview that includes greater changes. With Microsoft preparing at least four new Lumia devices for Windows 10, we expect to hear some details of what unique features Windows 10 will enable. Those include new gestures using a variety of phone sensors, and even the new Windows Hello feature that allows you to sign into a device with just your face.