WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.680 Thanks for watching Techquickie. Click the subscribe button, then enable notifications with the bell icon so you won't miss any future videos. 00:00:06.960 --> 00:00:13.380 By now you probably expect to be able to run software and services on lots of different platforms. 00:00:14.180 --> 00:00:22.200 Facebook works on your smartphone and on your PC, and you can watch Netflix on your 4k TV, your computer, or your tablet. 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:23.880 But of course, 00:00:23.880 --> 00:00:28.520 supporting all of these different devices means more work for software developers. 00:00:28.520 --> 00:00:34.760 Sometimes to the point where they won't even bother rewriting a program that you like for a different operating system, 00:00:34.760 --> 00:00:37.280 or if they do, it ends up being 00:00:37.860 --> 00:00:44.660 buggy and inferior as we discussed in our episode on Windows f- sorry, excuse me. I mean video game ports. 00:00:45.240 --> 00:00:47.240 But fear not, the ever-merciful 00:00:47.940 --> 00:00:50.480 Microsoft has come to our rescue with its 00:00:51.340 --> 00:00:57.620 Universal Windows Platform, or UWP, an API that sits between the 00:00:58.000 --> 00:00:58.520 operating 00:00:58.520 --> 00:01:06.700 system and the program to make it much easier for developers to code programs just once for a number of different devices. 00:01:07.480 --> 00:01:12.780 Even if they aren't using traditional x86 processors from Intel or AMD. 00:01:13.380 --> 00:01:17.250 That is, as long as those devices are running a 00:01:17.870 --> 00:01:23.650 Microsoft operating system. So UWP will work on Windows 10, the Xbox One, and 00:01:24.170 --> 00:01:29.350 HoloLens, if that thing ever makes it to market. So UWP achieves this by 00:01:29.350 --> 00:01:36.270 having a number of core APIs that work behind the scenes to allow code to be understood and executed properly 00:01:36.810 --> 00:01:42.370 across these devices. And it's also got some features that are more visible to you, the consumer at home. 00:01:42.710 --> 00:01:45.950 Like an ability to scale visual elements properly, 00:01:46.250 --> 00:01:53.230 depending on whether you're using an app on a large screen with a keyboard and mouse, or on a much smaller device with touch. And 00:01:53.610 --> 00:01:58.730 if a developer wants to add additional features that are only available on a certain platform, 00:01:59.110 --> 00:02:00.210 like 00:02:00.210 --> 00:02:04.250 touchscreen toggles or keyboard and mouse support, he or she can use 00:02:04.590 --> 00:02:10.250 adaptive code that will only run if the UWP app is running on that type of device, or 00:02:10.530 --> 00:02:12.830 even restrict the app to one platform. 00:02:13.450 --> 00:02:18.970 You see this actually with certain games that are only intended to run on Xbox for licensing reasons, or 00:02:19.230 --> 00:02:24.370 apps that are locked to touchscreen devices because their UI design requires it. But 00:02:25.050 --> 00:02:28.010 while Microsoft's rationale is that making 00:02:28.010 --> 00:02:34.210 UWP apps only available through the Windows Store allows them to screen them for improved user security, 00:02:34.770 --> 00:02:38.290 this move has opened the program up to a number of criticisms. 00:02:38.630 --> 00:02:45.150 One huge one is that this UWP plus Windows Store system is a walled garden, 00:02:45.650 --> 00:02:51.490 meaning that this platform that Microsoft is actively encouraging developers to code for 00:02:52.530 --> 00:02:57.970 originally could not be updated or even loaded outside of the Microsoft Store. 00:02:58.370 --> 00:03:00.370 Making it a fairly closed ecosystem. 00:03:01.070 --> 00:03:10.030 This generated concern that Microsoft might be demanding too much control over what programs can and cannot be run on their devices and 00:03:10.190 --> 00:03:18.770 how they can be run. And although standard versions of Windows 10 obviously allow you to run compatible programs from any source, and 00:03:19.770 --> 00:03:26.470 Microsoft has updated Windows to allow loading of UWP apps directly from publishers without going through the Windows Store, 00:03:27.170 --> 00:03:33.750 Microsoft is still trying to find creative ways to encourage users to fulfill all of their software needs 00:03:34.090 --> 00:03:39.990 from the Windows Store. As with the stripped down Windows 10s, which you can learn more about here, and 00:03:40.430 --> 00:03:45.410 the more recent S mode for regular Windows that prevents outside 00:03:45.710 --> 00:03:52.930 executables from being installed. In fact, the CEO of Epic Games wasn't shy about sharing his disdain for UWP, 00:03:53.430 --> 00:03:56.330 despite the fact that his studio produced Gears of War 4. 00:03:56.330 --> 00:03:59.370 A major UWP title. 00:04:00.050 --> 00:04:07.750 Speaking of gaming though, although UWP does have the benefit of allowing you to play the same game on both PC and Xbox 00:04:08.390 --> 00:04:10.490 without needing to buy it twice in many cases, 00:04:11.490 --> 00:04:16.950 enthusiasts have noticed that UWP has a tendency to lock down games in some ways. 00:04:17.410 --> 00:04:25.990 Preventing them from being modded, working with multi GPU setups, or even simply not managing to play nicely with frame counting programs. 00:04:26.330 --> 00:04:28.230 And these are just a few examples. 00:04:28.230 --> 00:04:33.950 So combine all of this with the fact that UWP is strictly for Microsoft operating systems and 00:04:34.650 --> 00:04:40.570 won't improve the seamlessness of your experience if you don't use an Xbox or a Windows phone, 00:04:40.570 --> 00:04:45.090 it isn't too surprising that it hasn't thrilled either its users or 00:04:46.490 --> 00:04:48.490 developers. 00:04:48.490 --> 00:04:52.490 Developers! Developers! Developers! Developers! Developers! Developers! Developers! 00:04:52.790 --> 00:04:55.970 Ting is the mobile carrier that is focused on customer service, 00:04:56.330 --> 00:05:01.430 and satisfaction first. When you call Ting, you do not speak to a robot, 00:05:01.430 --> 00:05:08.070 you get put through directly to a person, and you don't pay extra for the privilege. With Ting, you pay only for what you use, 00:05:08.070 --> 00:05:13.770 and the average bill is just 23 bucks a month per device. If you're stuck in a contract and switch to Ting, 00:05:13.770 --> 00:05:19.670 they'll cover 25% of your cancellation fee up to 75 bucks, and they've got lower mobile data rates than ever. 00:05:19.670 --> 00:05:25.610 It's now just $10 a gig beyond the second gig. So head over to techquickie.ting.com 00:05:25.610 --> 00:05:26.310 We're gonna have that link in the description below. 00:05:26.330 --> 00:05:30.770 And try out their savings calculator to see just how much you'd save with Ting. 00:05:30.770 --> 00:05:35.870 And when you sign up using our link, you'll get 25 bucks in service credit or towards a new device. 00:05:36.570 --> 00:05:41.930 So thanks for watching guys! Dislike, like, check out our other channels, leave a comment with a video suggestion, and subscribe!