Unwired View said that Microsoft filed a patent for a service intended to make it easier for customers to migrate to Windows Phone from Android devices, by analysing the apps installed on an existing device and comparing them with those available via the Windows Phone marketplace.

The service will apparently search for identical or similar apps and present users with options as to what to install. It would also deliver notifications if a suitable product becomes available in the future.

According to the report, Microsoft’s technology would also go as far as enabling user data to be migrated between device platforms – although Unwired View noted that neither Android or iOS currently enables access to app data by other software.

It was suggested that the service could also be used by customers before buying a Windows Phone device, in order to see which apps are available if they then decided to make a move.