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Xbox One and Windows 8 could share apps, Microsoft hints

Microsoft has highlighted the similarities between the next-generation Xbox One games console and Windows 8.

Richard Trenholm Former Movie and TV Senior Editor
Richard Trenholm was CNET's film and TV editor, covering the big screen, small screen and streaming. A member of the Film Critic's Circle, he's covered technology and culture from London's tech scene to Europe's refugee camps to the Sundance film festival.
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Richard Trenholm
2 min read

The Xbox One could share apps with your computer, tablet and phone. Microsoft has highlighted the similarities between the next-generation games console and Windows 8, suggesting that Xbox app-builders should get cracking on Windows apps.

"If you want to know about how to get a head start about thinking about developing for Xbox One," Microsoft told app builders, "the logical thing to do is go build Windows 8 applications."

The Xbox One has the same architecture as Windows 8 under the bonnet. Speaking to developers at the Microsoft Build conference in San Francisco, boss of Developer & Platform Evangelism Steve Guggenheimer highlighted the similarities between the Xbox One and Windows 8.

"Xbox one has two engines," he said, pointing out the console has "a gaming engine, and it essentially has a Windows 8 engine."

Xbox One is already more than a games console thanks to the TV and entertainment features crammed in. If it can share apps with Windows 8, Microsoft will blur the lines further between console and computer.

Up to now, most of the talk about app compatibility has been about Windows 8 apps that also work with Windows Phone 8 phones. Imagine if an app came in all shapes and sizes, working seamlessly on console, computer and phone.

With the Xbox One taking a kicking compared to the cheaper PlayStation 4, this could be a good step to clawing back some of the goodwill lost by Microsoft's heavily-criticised restrictions on the console, which have since been dropped.

Are you tempted by Windows apps on the Xbox One? What can Microsoft do to challenge the PS4? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.