You can click on the Store menu at the top, drill down to Apps and then view all apps or view those for the Xbox. It may be a long shot, but it's the best hope Microsoft has at this point to generate greater demand among PC and mobile phone buyers.īeyond PCs and mobile devices, Microsoft's Xbox console is also part of the universal app movement, so Xbox game developers can use that common code to create games.įrom the current store's homepage, you can scroll down to view the top Windows apps and Windows Phone apps. A user who likes the Windows 10 features and apps on a PC or tablet might be more persuaded to purchase a Windows 10 mobile phone to get a similar experience. In turn, users could benefit by having a greater variety of apps available no matter what device they use.Īnd what's the advantage to Microsoft? With the PC market in a slump and Microsoft's smartphone sales in dire need of a jumpstart, the company needs universal apps and Windows 10 in general to succeed. That process will cut down on development time and expenses, which Microsoft hopes will encourage developers to create apps for both Windows PCs and mobile devices. With universal apps, Windows developers can create an app once using the same core programming code and then simply tweak the app to run on PCs, tablets and phones. Offering a common experience to Windows 10 developers and users alike is a key part of Microsoft's strategy for its new OS. A spokesperson for Microsoft confirmed that the site lets you browse both Windows apps and Windows Phone apps but said that it's not the new 'unified Windows Store.' The true 'Universal App' store has yet to open its doors. The store is a step in the direction toward a true 'Universal App' store, which would offer apps for all types of Windows devices and other gear, including the Xbox gaming console. But now this one-stop shop is geared for everyone. In the past, Windows PC and tablet owners looking for apps would have to browse the Windows Store, while Windows Phone users would have to check out the Windows Phone store.

The newly redesigned app store is part of the company's attempt to unify the Windows 10 experience across all devices - PCs, tablets and mobile phones.

Microsoft has renovated an online store that combines its Windows Store and Windows Phone Store into one big virtual shopping mall. Microsoft/screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET You can check out apps for Windows PCs and phones at Microsoft's new universal app store.

Win10 app store