'Universal' app for phones running Windows 10 to launch this month

On Friday, Microsoft promised to release a new set of applications for smartphones running its Windows 10 platform by the end of April.

The company has a double-prong strategy in place for Windows 2016, which is a desktop app, and its touch-focused Office Universal which is for all other windows 10 experiences.

The latter apps will function across tablets and smartphones, according to Microsoft, dynamically changing their design to allow users to better use them based on the size of their mobile phone screens.

The Universal tag that Microsoft has attached to these apps however are mostly useful in a mobile context- these are applications you will be able to use across all windows devices.

It’s been public knowledge for some time that the Universal applications will be free for smartphones and tablets so users don’t have to worry about cost.

Microsoft is gradually putting parts of its new platforms and productivity strategies into place: Windows everywhere, Office everywhere, Office tools on the go for the user at no cost all glued together by an application layer – the Universal Windows Store; with various subscription services to offer additional content and capability to those who need it.

The company is also experimenting with bundling its services into one big platform, similar to Amazon’s Prime service that encompasses all its services into one.