UWP

[Former user]

On last stream, I heard you answering about Linux and Android. I don't see much on Linux for the marketshare, and while I see benefits on Android, I dont know who is going to use it on their tvs when small usb sized computers, tablets and phones have windows 10.

So I think you should first focus on Universal Windows Platform, I know Launchbox is portable and all that, but maybe using the Desktop Converter Bridge might help for people who use the store and would not mind use the store to install an update their apps.

https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/bridges/desktop

Microsoft said it is a bridge because you eventually can turn the app into a true universal app. and with all the new cool stuff from Microsoft, you might even be able to bring LaunchBox to Xbox One being universal, Hololens and even Windows Mobile which has Continuum that would bring desktop experience to phones.

Plus you can get Universal Windows Platform features, which is the future vision of Windows by unloading so much crap written to registry and leftovers after an uninstall, to give Desktop apps (even if they never become universal) universal windows platform features, like notifications, and UWP background tasks, live tiles and such.

But I think the best thing to think it is LaunchBox on Xbox One. it might be cool to be able to do it without any hacking like old times and 360 and original Xbox.

Just a suggestion, you already do it on Visual Studio and do program on windows and such. and seeing how Microsoft will have Anywhere Play and games coming to Windows 10, it sounds like more and more people can take advantage of this One Core Microsoft is trying to make of Windows 10

[ALI ESSA]

but having LB on xbox one i see no point it cant play emulators out future hacks so i see no point in an xbox one app. Andriod is a big market plus many smaller andriod based boxes can play the simple emulators like snes even ps1.

[Jason Carr]

Thanks Anonymous. That is interesting stuff that I had not considered, so appreciated. I don't really know what direction we'll end up taking, but this is good feedback.

[Former user]

I decided to make an account.

Ali Essa the point of my post is not about Xbox, but surely it is a possibility if Jason takes the time to convert the app to UWP, it will run not only on Windows PC, Phones, Xbox but also Hololens and even IoT like raspberry, so imagine selling LaunchBox on raspberrys for people who want a small PC that can play old games. Of course the thing about the emulators would have to be ported as UWP and included in Launchbox, that's the hardest part as a launchbox. But Someone was working to get dosbox to run on xbox one, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDM27RpX4o0. But There are other emulators on Windows Store so it's not impossible task.

it might eventually work if people work on it, Xbox One has an option to make a developer console just by turning on, restart and test it that way. which is another plus.

But UWP is windows future. but of course Launchbox as a full UWP app, should take sometime to happen.

My point is more about how Microsoft is easy making a converter for Desktop apps and other apps to run in UWP, many apps can take advantage of this, from a live tile to make it more interactive to notifications and any feature Jason decided to add.

"At your own pace, you can add UWP features to your app's package, like a XAML user-interface, live tile updates, UWP background tasks, app services, and many more. All of the functionality available to any other UWP app is available to your app."

and while I haven't heard about it, as I understood even Cortana APIs can be used on it, like Netflix does and other UWP apps. because they said "all UWP can be used" with desktop apps. so imagine telling Launchbox to find a game and it will do, or launch a game.

UWP is not as limited as people think, especially when you use normal Desktop app and convert it to UWP, they showed games being converted with a double click. of course I don't expect everything to be that Smooth, but Jason already use Visual Studio, WPF, Forms and it should make things easier somehow, Jason also likes using XAML.

You can now even sideload Appx UWP packages, so no reason to even use the store to distribute it.

It can work. and I am glad You Jason think it was a good feedback. maybe someday you can see the benefits of giving the jump, it might work someday! you might see the benefit.

I had a nice dream last time, to integrate FightCade chat and games and matchmaking into Launchbox, so imagine being able to get notifications and let the FightCade do background tasks even if the device is sleeping or the app is supposedly suspended. It would only be possible as UWP because there is no way a normal desktop app can do these things and have access to those things.

These are just dreams for now, but I hope LaunchBox grows and you can find a room for UWP and test it, on August 2nd the Desktop to UWP bridge will be finally a reality, even Microsoft seems to be using it for wordpad and other small old desktop apps that are not updated anymore. So it is something I thought LaunchBox could eventually benefit from.

[Jason Carr]

Very cool, Emi. I have been thinking lately about the future of Windows and the desktop apps and all that stuff, so I really appreciate this feedback. It helps for me to visualize Microsoft's intentions going forward, as I haven't done a good job lately of keeping up with all that stuff. We definitely don't want LaunchBox falling by the wayside because of it getting out of touch with Windows, so these are important things to discuss. Thanks again.

[Ryan Smith]

It would also be nice to see some elements of Fluent design thrown into the mix.