Microsoft's iOS porting tool 'Windows Bridge' goes open source

After releasing Windows 10 as a free upgrade in over 190 countries, Microsoft is looking to bring more apps to its new OS by open sourcing its " Windows Bridge " -- an iOS porting tool that allows developers to easily create Windows apps using existing Objective-C code.

Though Microsoft is stressing the bridge is very much a "work-in-progress," the company has finally offered developers a lookat the project, which is scheduled for release later this year.

By releasing the bridge's source code over on Github, and pushing development out "in the open," the firm hopes ambitious devs will help iron out any kinks in time for launch.

"We’re releasing the iOS bridge as an open-source project under the MIT license. Given the ambition of the project, [we want to make] it easy for iOS developers to build and run apps on Windows," explained Microsoft's Kevin Gallo.

"… We’d love for the interested and curious to look at the bridge, and compare what we’re building with your app’s requirements. And, for the really ambitious, we invite you to help us by contributing to the project, as community contributors — with source code, tests, bug reports, or comments. We welcome any and all participation in building this bridge.

"I encourage everyone to check out the Windows Bridge for iOS and install Windows 10 and developer tools. If you feel that we are missing any feature or functionality, my team would love to know."

Gallo also revealed that Microsoft's Android Bridge, dubbed "Project Astoria," will open up to the public later this year.