Microsoft confirms it acquired assets of iTap to build new Remote Desktop apps for iOS, Android and OS X

What has been a rumor for the past couple of days now has been confirmed: Microsoft bought the assets of iTab to speed up the time to market for the Remote Desktop apps for iOS, Android and OS X.

This should not come as a huge surprise because the iTap website stated they discontinued their iOS, Android and OS X RDP clients per the exact date that Microsoft announced the Microsoft versions of the Remote Desktop apps for iOS, Android and OS X. They also recommended looking at the Microsoft versions of the Remote Desktop apps for iOS, Android and OS X. Too much of a coincidence right?

This is what it said: Effective October 8th 2013, iTAP mobile RDP apps for iOS, Mac OS X and Android platforms are discontinued. We will continue to support the customers who have installed this app up to this date but the app will no longer be available at the application stores and no further updates will be released. We recommend you evaluate the new Microsoft Remote Desktop app available in app stores later this month.

Neowin also noticed this and asked Microsoft for a official comment and they seem to have gotten it:

Microsoft acquired specific IP assets from HLW Software Development GmbH (HLW). This was used as a base for development, on top of which we implemented, amongst other things: RDP 8, RemoteApp support, multitouch, and all new UI.

When you see the actual released version of the Microsoft Remote Desktop apps for iOS, Android and OS X you will recognize the iTap heritage somewhat but Microsoft really added a lot to it and improving the user experience to a Microsoft accustomed customer if you ask me.

So each time you RDP in from your iOS device, Android device or OS X computer you'll be doing so off an Austrian codebase. Who knows, maybe there's an Easter Egg from 'Der Anton aus Tirol' :-).