Microsoft cooperation with Tencent: revival of the ESC?
Microsoft buried the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) in March. A cooperation with Tencent is to bring Android apps to Windows.
(Image: Shutterstock.com/Anthony McLaughlin)
After Microsoft announced the end of the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) in March and Amazon removed the necessary base files from the Microsoft Store, an announcement by Microsoft has raised eyebrows. Microsoft Store wants to cooperate with the Tencent App Store and be able to launch mobile apps directly.
Microsoft made the announcement in the context of a Tencent conference in Beijing on Tuesday this week. "Through this cooperation, Windows users will be able to search for mobile apps through channels such as the App Store, the Start menu, Windows Search or Bing. This will trigger the download and installation through the Microsoft Store, which will also create shortcuts for these apps," Microsoft explains. These mobile apps can then be launched on the desktop by clicking on the shortcut.
Mobile apps in Windows: reciprocal synergy effects
Tencent's Vice President points to the large PC market and the inadequate supply of content, which will be solved by integrating the PC and mobile environments. According to market research data, the volume of cell phones sold and the number of apps have been falling in recent years, while PC sales have remained stable. However, while the number of installed apps per user in the PC sector is weak, the number of smartphone users stands out clearly with 68 apps per user.
The cooperation currently concerns mainland China, where Windows users will be able to seamlessly access mobile apps and smartphone games through the Tencent App Store section of the Microsoft Store. This also applies to apps for the ARM processor architecture. The two companies assume that around 1500 mobile apps will be available at launch.
According to Microsoft's announcement, the "computer version" of the Tencent App Store was already launched in 2023. In terms of technology, it relies on Intel Bridge and Celadon to break down the barrier between x86 and ARM architecture and achieve "perfect integration" on PCs. Access to the PC camera, microphone and location services also works with it, whereby multitasking and multi-window operation is possible. The Android basis of the mobile app engine has been upgraded to version 13, which is a major update. The Intel platform provides the mobile apps with full AI performance, the integrated graphics cards deliver better display performance and the high frame rates and video improvements provide "a high-quality experience of HD screens".
The description makes it sound as if Microsoft has not completely given up on Android apps in Windows after all. However, it remains unclear whether the offer will be limited to China or whether this integration will be extended to other markets.
At the beginning of March, Microsoft announced that it would no longer support the Windows subsystem for Android. This was preceded by emails from Amazon stating that the Amazon Appstore for Windows was to be removed from the Microsoft Store. This was the basis for apps that can run in the WSA.
(dmk)