Microsoft to stop accepting new Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 app submissions soon

Microsoft has been gradually winding things downwardly for Windows 8 and 8.i, forth with Windows Phone 8, for some time. But today, the company appear a gear up of of import cutoff dates for developers who distribute their apps through the Microsoft Store.

Near importantly, developers will no longer be able to submit new apps targeting Windows Phone viii.x or before or Windows viii/viii.one as of October 31. Existing apps volition still be able to roll out updates as necessary, but the distribution of app updates volition be slowly winding down over the next several years, starting with Windows Phone viii.x apps adjacent year.

Here'due south the breakdown from Microsoft:

October 31st, 2022 – Microsoft will cease accepting new app submissions with Windows Phone 8.x or before or Windows 8/8.1 packages (XAP or APPX)

July 1st, 2022 – Microsoft volition stop distributing app updates to Windows Telephone 8.ten or earlier devices.

July 1st, 2023 – Microsoft will stop distributing app updates to Windows eight/viii.1 devices.

Crucially, while updates will no longer be distributed to older devices after the above dates, developers for these apps can still publish updates. The merely divergence is that they'll merely be distributed to Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile devices after the cutoff.

For more, including tips on porting your app over to the Universal Windows Platform (UWP), you tin check out Microsoft's total blog post.

Xbox legend Shannon Loftis retires from Microsoft after 29 years

One of the greats

Xbox fable Shannon Loftis retires from Microsoft later 29 years

Shannon Loftis announced her retirement from Microsoft today, subsequently 29 years with the company. Loftis has been with Xbox for decades, having congenital franchises like Legend, Banjo Kazooie, and many more, and recently revived Age of Empires from its long sleep.