Microsoft applies for App Migration utility

It seems Microsoft has been thinking for a long time about the conundrum users encounter when moving to a new platform – which are the good apps on their new platform, and do replacements for their current ones even exist.

In a November 2010 patent application Microsoft describes a service which would analyse the apps on your Android device for example, and then find the same apps (if the cross-platform version exists) and install them all at the same time, and if the same app does not exist offer known alternatives.

If no alternative exists the service would keep a record, and notify the user when this app does become available.

The service would even attempt to migrate the app data from the Android app to the Windows Phone app, though of course this is much easier said than done.

The service could also be used for promotional purposes, to demonstrate to users on other platforms that alternatives to their apps do in fact exist on Windows Phone, and if they do not, notify them if the blocking app does become available.

With Windows Phone marketplace soon reaching the 100,000 milestone, the likelihood of app alternatives existing for Android and iOS apps is increasing exponentially,  and a service like this, if it could be implemented, would make it clear concerns about the absence of apps are largely unfounded.

Via Unwiredview.com