Microsoft to merge all versions of Windows

Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella has confirmed all the major versions of Windows will be unified into one operating system that will cover all screen sizes. Nadella made the revelation at the company's quarterly earnings call. Last year, Steve Ballmer had already set the wheels in motion for such an integration when he merged the Windows division with corporate VP Terry Myerson's Windows Phone division and created a new operating systems division.

"This means one operating system that covers all screen sizes," Nadella said to analysts on the quarterly conference call. "We will streamline the next version of Windows from three operating systems into one single converged operating system for screens of all sizes."

According to the Microsoft CEO, the move will help developers focus on building a common architecture and create "Universal Windows Apps" that will be compatible with devices phones, tablets, PCs, embedded, and even Xbox.

Microsoft has been pushing toward a greater unification of its platforms in recent months: in April, the company showed off developer tools that would enable the creation of such universal apps. The company's merging of its operating systems is a step away from its main rival - Apple keeps Mac OS and iOS separate - but the ability to make apps that work on PCs, laptops, tablets, Windows Phones, and Xbox consoles right out of the gate should see the change welcomed by developers.

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