One of the biggest challenges Microsoft faces today is the widening app deficit. The company's app stores, both on Windows and Windows Phone, are lacking popular titles. The situation can be gauged from the fact that it took three years for Instagram to arrive on Windows Phone, and viral sensation Flappy Bird never even made it.
The situation has taken a complex turn, with new customers unlikely to embrace Microsoft's mobile platform and Modern UI on the desktop unless there are apps, and developers unwilling to develop apps if there are no customers. Looking for a way out of this vicious cycle, the company is considering allowing Google's Android apps to run on its Windows and Windows Phone platforms, if a report from The Verge is to be believed.
Close to 80% of smartphones today run Android, and most developers release their apps for both Android and iOS simultaneously. Running Android apps on Windows and Windows Phone would at least serve as a band-aid for Microsoft. There is no confirmation from Microsoft, but adding weight to the rumors is talk of Nokia's Android phone, which is scheduled to be officially unveiled at this month's Mobile World Conference.
Of course, not everybody at Microsoft is convinced with the idea (Android apps couldn't save BlackBerry, after all). As per the report, many believe that this change would lead to the death of the Windows platform. Meanwhile, it is not yet clear if the software giant is looking to partner with a third party (Intel or AMD) to help the company bring Android apps to the Windows platform, should it decide to move ahead with the plan.