14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft’s Solitaire has a special place in our hearts because it helped us waste so much time at work relax during weekends at home, so it’s undoubtedly an iconic game for millions of Windows users out there.
Soon, however, Solitaire could become an iconic title for iOS and Android users too, as Microsoft is working to bring the modern version of the game on non-Windows platforms too.
Microsoft Solitaire Collection, which is currently available on Windows 10 devices, including here PCs and smartphones, will soon be released on Android and iOS with help from users enrolled in the Microsoft Casual Games Inner Circle program, which is a Windows Insider-like effort that allows fans of casual games to help Microsoft improve its offering with new titles and more features.
The company has started emailing users who are part of the program to inform about the new versions of Solitaire Collection and invite them to download and install the Android and iOS flavors on their devices.
“Do you have an iPhone, iPad, or other iOS/Android device? If so, then here’s some exciting news: We are developing Microsoft Solitaire Collection for iOS and Android devices and we are looking for a group of passionate Solitaire players to help us test our beta version of the game as we continue to work on it,” the email reads.
Just a private beta for now
Microsoft isn’t giving all members of the program the chance to try out the new versions of the game, though, and it seems to be just a private beta for the time being, but depending on how development advances, everyone should be getting it sooner or later. There’s still no release date for the final version published in the store, but it shouldn’t take too long since insiders are already testing it.
Without a doubt, the arrival of Solitaire on iOS and Android is further confirmation of Microsoft’s increased focus on non-Windows platform, an approach that has often been received with much criticism from the most loyal Windows fans.
Microsoft, however, has stated on several occasions that investing in rival Windows platforms is a priority for the company, so similar apps and releases are very likely to continue in the long term.