Microsoft finally working on unifying Windows Phone and Windows 8 store

It was expected that Microsoft would design a unified app marketplace into Windows 8 when it was introduced, but as we know this never did occur, with many blaming Stephen Sinofsky for taking Not Invented Here to extremes and deprecating any Windows Phone work.

Now with Stephen out of the way Microsoft is once again working on getting Windows RT apps to run seamlessly on Windows Phone and vice versa, which should benefit both platforms by increasing the addressable market for developers, especially if Windows Phone phablets are ever released.

In a recent job posting Microsoft for a SDET Microsoft asks:

Do you wish the code you write for Windows Store apps would just work on the Windows Phone and vice versa?

The posting goes on to explain the Windows Phone team was “…leading the charge to bring much of the WinRT API surface and the .NET Windows Store profile to the Phone.”

It is of note that app portability is intended to work both ways, with Windows Phone apps also set to run on Windows 8.

We will have to see if this will reach the market in time for Blue, or if this is a 2014 ambition.

See the job listing after the break.

Software Development Engineer in Test – Windows Phone (826256) Job

Date: Feb 7, 2013

Location: Redmond, WA, US

Job Category: Software Engineering: Test
Location: Redmond, WA, US
Job ID: 826256-103633
Division: Windows Phone Division
Are you excited about Windows Phone? Are you passionate about delivering the best possible experience to the developer community? Do you wish the code you write for Windows Store apps would just work on the Windows Phone and vice versa? If so, then this is the role for you! We are the team leading the charge to bring much of the WinRT API surface and the .NET Windows Store profile to the Phone.
We are looking for a highly motivated and technically strong SDET to help our team bring together the Windows Store and Phone development platforms. As a member of our team you will have a variety of responsibilities including designing and automating new tests, adapting existing automation and frameworks to the Phone, and building test framework components that will be used by many teams throughout Windows Phone. You will have an opportunity to sharpen your cross-team collaboration skills by working with many people in the Windows and Phone orgs. You will work closely with your developer and PM counterparts to solve the technical challenges of bringing a platform built for desktops and tablets to the phone form factor.
Qualifications:
BS or MS degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent field
A minimum of 4 years developing or testing products
Strong C/C++/C# coding skills
Strong testing aptitude
Ability to design and build automation frameworks
Preferred:
Experience testing developer platforms and APIs
Experience with WinRT and/or .NET APIs
Experience building Windows Store and/or Windows Phone apps
Experience with testing frameworks and tools used in Windows
Experience working cross-team and/or cross-division to deliver features
WPEJOBS; WPEC
tri.DevPlat
WPD.WPE.LG

Nearest Major Market: Seattle
Nearest Secondary Market: Bellevue
Job Segments: Developer, Engineer, Computer Science, Software Engineer, Testing, Technology, Engineering

Source: Microsoft.com