Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has confirmed that his company will amalgamate all major
versions of Windows into one operating system. Speaking on the company's
quarterly earnings call today,
Nadella told analysts Microsoft will
"streamline the next version of Windows from three operating systems into
one single converged operating system." Describing the implications of the
change, Nadella said "this means one operating system that covers all
screen sizes."
Previously, under the management of Steve Ballmer, Microsoft
had multiple teams producing different versions of Windows working separately
from each other. "Now," Nadella said, "we have one team with a
common architecture." The Microsoft boss didn't clarify exactly how
Windows, Windows Phone, and Xbox will be unified, but noted the benefit for
users and developers — while Microsoft will still sell different editions of
Windows, the new unified platform will allow the creation of universal Windows
apps that work across all devices running the OS.
"Now we have one team with a common architecture."
Microsoft has been pushing toward a greater unification of
its platforms in recent months: in April, the company showed
off developer tools that would enable the creation of such universal apps.
The company's merging of its operating systems is a step away from its main
rival — Apple keeps Mac OS and iOS separate — but the ability to make apps that
work on PCs, laptops, tablets, Windows Phones, and Xbox consoles right out of
the gate should see the change welcomed by developers.
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