Microsoft's Desktop App Converter tool allows developers to easily convert their .NET and Win32 applications to sandboxed .appx packages and distribute them via the Windows Store. The tool was first released in an unfinished state during the development cycle of Windows 10 Anniversary Update. It has been a success in the Windows developer community. A recent tool update, now available in the Windows Store, has added even more useful features for its users.
Author: Roman Linev
Long time news writer, Microsoft ecosystem fan, Android user. Loves Japanese culture, photography and his cats. You can also follow Roman on Twitter.
Skype UWP Preview 11.11.103.0 is out for Insiders
Microsoft has released another minor update for its still-in-testing Skype universal app for Windows 10. The new update, version 11.11.103.0, is currently available only to Windows Insider Program members in the Slow ring and should be pushed out for Release Preview and Production rings in the coming weeks.
You can now use JavaScript and WebGL in your HoloLens apps
Even if Microsoft is already quietly working on a new hardware revision for its augmented reality headset, HoloLens, there is still place for improvements to be done to the current platform. That said, Microsoft is trying to attract even more developers by supporting more tools and technologies on its platforms. Almost a week ago, Microsoft quietly released the HoloJS framework on its GitHub page.
Beam accounts will be merged with Xbox Live, new features and logo announced
Microsoft acquired the live streaming service, Beam back in August and it hasn't made any major changes to the platform so far. Last week, the company announced the first set of improvements coming in a few weeks to all of its users and available right now to Beam Pro subscribers. The service also introduced new branding assets and a new logo which you can see below.
Updated Office apps for Android add SVG support and more
A few days ago, Microsoft started rolling out a minor update to its Office apps suite for Android devices, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Users of these apps can now use SVG (Scalable Vector Graphic) images in their documents and presentations. This new build is similar to the one that was released two weeks ago for Office Insider Program members and includes all of the latest changes from it.
Instagram now supports live video streaming on Windows 10 devices
The recent app update for Instagram on Windows 10 has finally added live video streaming support for both mobile and PC devices. Live videos were already available on Android and iOS and became really popular. It's one of the recent features the service has introduced to increase its popularity among active Snapchat users.
Dropbox UWP app update brings new UI design to all Windows 10 devices
Recently, we reported that the Dropbox UWP app was now available on Xbox One with the latest update and it also featured new UI changes. However, the update for other platforms still lacked the new UI design that its developer, Rudy Huyn, was teasing on his Twitter account. With a new app update rolling out now for both desktop and Mobile versions of Windows 10 and also for Xbox One, the new design is available to all of its users.
Microsoft launches Lumia self-help app with its support partner
Earlier this year, Microsoft announced that its customer care services for Lumia and feature phones will be operated now by a German customer care company B2X. Right after the original announcement, B2X officials promised to release a "self-help" app for existing device owners and it's now available for download from Windows Store, offering a set of tools for customers to diagnose a problem in several possible scenarios.
Xbox One now supports Bioshock series through backward compatibility
BioShock: The Collection has been recently released for Xbox One, featuring three games remastered for the current console generation. However, it's a separate bundle that Xbox One users needed to purchase again even if they had all three games for Xbox 360. But now finally, Microsoft has added backward compatibility support for the original 360 games.
Download December 2016 Windows 10 Virtual Machines
Following up their regular release cycle of every two months, Microsoft has once again released updated virtual machines for Universal Windows Platform app developers. These virtual machines include some of the minimum required tools and frameworks for developers to jumpstart creating apps for Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile, HoloLens and Xbox One. They are based on Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607).
