The VLC Media Player application in its Universal Windows Platform (UWP) form is now entering its closed beta phase, moving a step closer to full release to end users. The news was announced by Thomas Nigro, a Microsoft regional director and developer on the Windows Store version of VLC.
While VLC is developed as a package by VideoLAN, it is an open source media player, which means Microsoft uses its own developers for the Windows application. This means that the company can craft a true Universal Windows app, making VLC a cross-platform service that Nigro says will be available on Windows 10 PC, Windows 10 Mobile, HoloLens, and the HoloLens augmented reality headset.
An app like this gives Microsoft a chance to really show off its vision for UWP, something the company would like third party developers to embrace. The UWP idea allows apps to function as one across multiple Windows platforms, meaning developers do not to be hampered by coding for different devices or by possible exposure limitations.
New private beta of VLC released. Includes Mobile, Desktop, XBOX+Hololens. Still no release date though. It’s not up to me, unfortunately.
— Thomas Nigro (@ThomasNigro) June 1, 2016
While VLC is now entering its closed beta stage (suggesting it is close to full launch), Microsoft has not yet said when exactly the app will officially drop in the Windows Store. The most likely scenario will be alongside the Windows 10 Anniversary Update this summer, which is when Microsoft’s Universal Windows Platform vision moves into high gear.
The media player has become a very popular tool thanks to its ability to support and play a huge number of media formats, file types, and codecs. Windows already has the player in the form of a VLC for Windows Store app, which will be replaced by the UWP applications. Microsoft’s will also hope users opt for the UWP Windows VLC app over the manually downloaded player on their desktops.
