HomeWinBuzzer NewsWindows 10 App Gap? Microsoft’s Platform Has 35 Million Apps

Windows 10 App Gap? Microsoft’s Platform Has 35 Million Apps

However, while Windows 10 apps dwarf iOS and Android’s, the Microsoft Store is still limited, and the total does not reflect how customers use apps.

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The demise of 's Windows Phone platform has been largely attributed to the lack of applications in the Windows (Microsoft) Store. Microsoft has tried tirelessly to address the balance on Windows 10 for PC as users increasingly turn to mobile devices on iOS and .

In other words, Microsoft is struggling to make as instantly accessible as a smartphone. However, app availability is not necessarily the problem, but the way in which users consume apps is.

For example, users want an easily downloadable experience that is quickly available. In that sense, the app gap is real and concerning. For example, hugely popular apps like Snapchat are not available on Windows 10, while there is no meaningful Instagram experience. They are just two examples that represent the tip of the iceberg.

However, there is a reverse app gap where Windows provides access to apps and services smartphone simply cannot. Microsoft has quietly revealed how many applications are available on Windows 10 to emphasize the point.

In a blog post, Michael Fortin, Corporate Vice President of Windows, revealed how many unique services are available on the platform.

“With Windows 10 alone we work to deliver quality to over 700 million monthly active Windows 10 devices, over 35 million application titles with greater than 175 million application versions, and 16 million unique hardware/driver combinations.”

Reverse Gap

So, the reverse app gap is real, and it is one big gap. Indeed, Android's Play Store boasts 2.1 million apps, while the iOS App Store has 2.1 million apps. So, Windows' 35 million apps is vastly more. Again, the problem for Microsoft is how users consume applications.

Many of those apps are not mobile favorites. The company has increasingly tried to bring more apps to the . Fans of Windows 10 may argue what the obsession with an app store is, but Microsoft wants to entice more users. There is also the benefit of having a robust store if the company ever returns to mobile hardware.

Luke Jones
Luke Jones
Luke has been writing about all things tech for more than five years. He is following Microsoft closely to bring you the latest news about Windows, Office, Azure, Skype, HoloLens and all the rest of their products.

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