Features of UWP apps

1. Secure: UWP apps declare which device resources and data they access. The user must authorize that access.

2. Able to use a common API on all devices that run Windows 10.

3. Able to use device specific capabilities and adapt the UI to different device screen sizes, resolutions, and DPI.

4. Available from the Microsoft Store on all devices (or only those that you specify) that run on Windows 10. The Microsoft Store provides multiple ways to make money on your app.

5. Able to be installed and uninstalled without risk to the machine or incurring "machine rot".

6. Engaging: use live tiles, push notifications, and user activities that interact with Windows Timeline and Cortana's Pick Up Where I Left Off, to engage users.

7. Programmable in C#, C++, Visual Basic, and Javascript. For UI, use WinUI, XAML, HTML, or DirectX.

Benefits of UWP apps

1. One Operating System and One Unified Core for all the devices.

2. One app Platform to run the applications across each family.

3. Single Dev Center to submit application and dashboard.

4. One Store for all devices. Apps can simply be downloaded from the official Windows store of any Windows 10 device (subjected to the app’s eligibility requirements).

5. It is a secure platform, even the device’s resources can only be accessed once authorized by the admin/owner of that device.

6. A common consumable API for all devices running Windows 10, in addition to APIs specific to the device type.

7. Doing generalization doesn’t mean that we can’t use the device-specific features, thus all the distinct features of a selected device can also be leveraged. This is different from the traditional responsive design which only concerns screen size.

The best UWP apps

1. Dropbox

2. Duolingo

3. eBay

4. FourSquare

5. Facebook Messenger

6. Fresh Paint

7. Netflix

8. PicsArt

9. Polarr

10. TeamViewer

References

1. What is Universal Windows Platform and How do they Work? (December 2021). Retrieved from https://techaffinity.com/blog/universal-windows-platform/.

2. What's a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app? (December 2021). Retrieved from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/get-started/universal-application-platform-guide.

3. Simple questions: What are Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps? (December 2021). Retrieved from https://www.digitalcitizen.life/simple-questions-what-are-universal-windows-platform-uwp-apps/.