IT Home reported on March 7 that Microsoft's "machete department" recently angrily slashed the Android subsystem (WSA) that was the main promotion when Windows 11 was released, which caused heated discussions among IT home partners. Andrew Clinick, a former Microsoft developer, posted on his X account about his thoughts.
Andrew points out that while the Android subsystem is "cool," it's also important to have enough apps in the app store, because the app store's revenue is used to pay for the development and salaries of the WSA team. On the other hand, WSL (Linux Subsystem) is here to stay because it's "well-funded" to bring benefits to teams like Azure.
In a follow-up post, Andrew added, "WSA without a store, while great, doesn't help Windows financially in any way." It is reported that Microsoft has been working hard to bring more apps to the Windows Store and attract large developers, but these efforts have not been enough to increase the store's revenue.
Andrew went on to talk about Google, arguing that there would be no more and better solutions without Google services, and that Google's non-participation in the WSA project is a sign that the project will not be successful. "Truth be told, when Google left, the coffin board [of WSA] was already nailed. ”
Microsoft announced in September 2021 that it would allow companies such as Epic Games, Amazon, and others to integrate their app stores into the Microsoft Store in order to provide more options for third-party developers.
Microsoft says it aims to be an "open store for open platforms," where the Windows Store no longer requires app developers to share revenue with Microsoft while apps manage their own in-app payment systems.