Microsoft Launches First Apps for Both Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone

Microsoft has released its first universal apps for use on both Windows and Windows Phone operating systems.

The news of crossover software was revealed a fortnight ago at Microsoft’s most recent Build conference and promises massive potential for the app developers who have just now got their mitts on the Windows 8.1 dev version and will be able to bridge content from mobile devices to desktop and laptop computers and vice versa.

The initial offerings of this app exchange to the general app using public are a little sparse however, and aside from Microsoft Windows staples such as Solitaire, Minesweeper and Mahjong there are currently only two full apps available on both Windows Phone and Windows 8.1.

Both are games – Halo: Spartan Assault which is developed by Microsoft itself and based on the popular sci-fi saga for Xbox, the other is Skulls of the Shogun, a turn-based zombie samurai game developed by 17-Bit – each costing $4.99 on the Windows Phone Store and Windows Store and saved progress will auto-sync across Microsoft platforms, so for example you can continue a PC game if you plan to go portable.

It’s a small but steady start for a universal apps system that Microsoft will eventually bring to Xbox consoles as well, ultimately linking game apps and more on all Microsoft platforms.