Windows RT will not be able to run Universal apps after Update 3 is released

If you are a Windows developer, you will surely have heard Microsoft"s new pitch: build Universal apps. The idea is that you can run your apps on any of the company"s platforms with changes needed only to the UI, not to the underlying code base. But, if you are a Windows RT user, Universal apps signal the end of the road for your device.

Microsoft has said that after Update 3 is delivered to Windows RT users (primarily Surface 2 owners), the device will not support Universal apps. This means that if a developer takes advantage of the new functionality that the company is pushing heavily, that developer"s app will not work on the company"s aging tablet.

Microsoft issued the following statement which is the death blow to Windows RT users:

Surface (RT, Surface 2 and third-party ARM-based Windows PCs and tablets) only run apps built for RT and not Universal Windows Apps. There are lots of apps that work on RT, so they"ll be able to continue to enjoy apps, games, music and movie content.

So, not only is the device not getting Windows 10, it will not be able to run the new apps that Microsoft is pushing every developer to create. Not that you needed another sign, but Microsoft is giving up on Windows RT and this is the final (final!) blow to the OS.

Source: ZDnet