Microsoft looks set to release a preview version of Windows 10 for smartphone users. A new app that's been quietly released into the Windows Phone store, called Phone Insider, will give "registered Windows Insiders the ability to receive pre-release OS updates on their phone, directly from Microsoft", according to the app's description.
As renowned Windows watcher Paul Thurrott notes, "Windows Insiders" is the terminology that Microsoft has used for those testing Windows 10 on the desktop, suggesting Microsoft is coming good on its plans to deliver a single operating system across smartphones, tablets and PCs.
Microsoft is holding a press event on January 21, when it is expected to announce major new features for Windows 10. The company may use that platform to announce the preview of the operating system for Windows Phone users.
Although the underlying operating system will be the same, the Windows interface will continue to be tailored for the different categories of devices. The early preview builds of Windows 10 suggest that Microsoft is all but banishing the controversial Windows 8 Start Screen for laptop and desktop PC users, instead focusing on a revamped Start Menu on the traditional Windows desktop. Tablet and smartphone users will likely continue to see the tiled Start Screen, however.
Using the same codebase across mobile and desktop devices will also allow Microsoft to offer a unified app store. Microsoft has so far struggled to get developer momentum behind either of its existing stores for Windows Phone and Windows 8. Merging the two stores may save some developer effort, although app interfaces will obviously still need to be tailored for different screen sizes.
Microsoft's biggest problem is convincing developers that porting their apps to Windows is worthwhile, given the limited potential audience. The latest figures from Kantar WorldPanel give Windows Phone a market share of only 7% in the UK, and just 3% in the US. Windows 8 has finally overtaken the ailing Windows XP on the desktop, according to Net Analytics, but it still remains a distant third to iOS and Android in terms of tablet market share.