Windows 8 can run Windows Phone apps, says NVIDIA CEO
Jen-Hsun Huang, the CEO of NVIDIA, believes that Windows 8 will be able to run Windows Phone apps. The statement was almost a throwaway comment in an interview with CNET, but, if true, it could open up some very interesting possibilities. Namely, the fact that Windows customers would be able to buy one app and use it across any Windows-based device: phone, tablet, or PC.
The ability to run mobile apps on a tablet isn’t unheard of. In fact, both iOS and Android allow users to run the same app on both the tablet and handset form factors. However, the ability to use a mobile app on full-fledged traditional operating system like Windows is something very new indeed. Mac OS X has its own app store, but it can’t run iOS apps.
The actual specifics of how this would work–if at all–will have to wait until Microsoft’s BUILD conference next week, but we could see it working somewhat like the side-by-side view which was shown off alongside the Windows 8 announcement in early June (see mockup above). Unfortunately, Windows Phone apps are a bit wider than the ones in the video, not to mention the fact that they run at a resolution of 800 x 400, much lower than your typical desktop OS. Another option is for Microsoft to just expand the app panoramas across the screen, creating a series of vertical pillars.
Another question is whether the Windows 8 app store will be powered by–or possibly even included in–the Zune software client. Zune is already home to the Windows Phone and Zune HD app stores, so the inclusion of Windows 8 is definitely a possibility. BUILD should be a very exciting event, no matter what ends up being the case.
[CNET via WinRumors]
