Gandalf_The_Grey
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- Apr 24, 2016
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What you need to know
Microsoft made a surprising announcement in the Fall of 2022 that Apple’s official apps were (finally) coming to the Windows ecosystem. The first announcement was about iCloud Photos integration with OneDrive. But the other half of the statement revealed that official apps for Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices were also on the way.
- Microsoft announced a new Insider Preview build of Windows 11 today, along with a preview version of Apple’s official new apps.
- The apps include Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Devices, all built natively for Windows 11.
- Being a preview, the apps are only available for those currently in the U.S. running Windows 11.
Today is that day, at least if you’re in the U.S., as all three apps are now available to download. Despite the announcement seemingly tied to the new Windows 11 Developer Insider Preview, the apps are independent of those builds, as I installed it easily on my Windows 11 Release Preview edition.
The apps appear to be built using the Windows App SDK (you can think of that as the successor to UWP) and may be using .NET 6, according to developer Dennis H. on Twitter. The result is apps that look like they fit right in with Windows 11, including some acrylic effects, standard Windows menus, and a layout that feels very familiar to anyone used to modern Windows apps from the Microsoft Store.
Hell freezes over: Apple TV and Music apps are here for Windows 11 and don't disappoint
Apple’s official apps for Windows 11 are now available for those in the U.S., and I like what I see.
www.windowscentral.com