The Windows 10 SDK gives us more clues about what the new universal applications will be like

It is already known that the Windows 10 universal applications are Microsoft's great bet to increase the interest of developers in their platforms , and thus solve the problem of lack of applications, and little support for these that users currently suffer from.

Throughout multiple conferences and announcements, Microsoft has been revealing more and more details regarding this universal apps platform, and yesterday they took another step in that direction, releasing the first preview of the developer tools for Windows 10 that will finally allow you to create applications whose code runs on phones, tablets, PCs, and consoles.

One of the main advantages offered by this SDK is the possibility of creating a unique user experience that automatically adapts to the device in use , which is precisely one of the great promises of the universal apps platform. This self-adjusting of the interface is achieved primarily through a better implementation of the ViewStateManager , which allows on-screen elements to unfold and rearrange based on available space on the screen.

Another way the experience can be tailored to each device is by automatically detecting whether the user is interacting through a touch screen, or through a mouse and keyboard , and adapting the on-screen controls accordingly (for example, increasing the size of the buttons when you start using a touch screen).

Applications will be able to offer a personalized experience for both touch and mouse/keyboard use

Applications will also be able to know if a certain feature of the operating system or the computer in use is available, instead of having to infer it from other factors (as it had to be done until now). For example, an application will be able to know if the mobile it is running on has a physical camera button, or not, and thus adapt its interface and behavior accordingly.

Applications with shared code, and specific code for each device

Visual Studio for Windows 10 editions reveal other innovations that will make it easier to develop universal apps. For example, they will allow to insert specific code portions for mobiles, tablets, PCs or Xbox, making use of extensions of the main SDK specially designed for each type of device.

A mobile phone and a PC will be able to run the same application, but each one will ignore the pieces of code that are intended for different hardware. "

It is also allowed to create individual projects>"

Another useful feature of Visual Studio is the integration with the Application Insights feature, which provides data from telemetry of applications through the Azure platform, so that developers have relevant information regarding the use of their apps.

And along with all these features included in the SDK, Microsoft is also releasing relevant documentation and code samples on GitHub to make it easier for developers to create their first universal apps. Included within this documentation is an overview of the Universal Apps Platform, a guide to taking advantage of what's new in Windows 10 in the apps that are already available for Windows 8.1, and also a more in-depth guide on the new possibilities offered by the Windows 10 SDK

The Windows 10 SDK Preview is available to everyone in the Windows Insider Program. Once inside it, all you have to do is download and install the development tools for Windows 10 to start creating new applications, or adapt existing ones.

And let's remember that since this is a preview , Microsoft will most likely add more features to these over the next few weeks development tools.

Via | Blogging Windows