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  • Microsoft Tries to Attract iOS Developers to the Windows 8 Platform
    by
    Akshay Masand
    Published on 12-28-2012 09:12 PM
    14 Comments Comments


    For the past few decades, developers have always gravitated towards Microsoft’s operating system while Apple’s Mac OS X was previously an afterthought. The tables seem to have turned with the release of tablets though. Apple’s App Store seems to have the highest quality apps for iPhones and iPads while Microsoft has been struggling to get developers to create apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8. In an effort to keep up with competition, Microsoft is now trying to woo popular iOS developers over to Microsoft.

    According to The Technology Review, Microsoft has invited many developers over to the Microsoft campus in Mountain View, California in an attempt to lure them to make apps for Windows 8 tablets and desktop computers. As of right now, while Apple’s App Store boasts 700,000 apps, the Microsoft Windows Store only has 100,000 apps. Microsoft has held multiple development sessions over two days at their campus to give developers a better grasp on how to make apps for the Windows Store. On the stage, a developer answered questions such as whether a button can be placed on a tile for users to press (it cannot) and which colors are the best for an app’s tile (bright colors seem to be the best and gradients are not allowed). According to founder of iOS app development company Radtastical, Tim Burks had the following to say:

    For iOS developers that attended the event, Microsoft’s overtures seemed to be working, partly because of Microsoft’s traditional focus on supporting developers.
    Burks did go on to say that writing apps for another platform can prove to be challenging because you need to change your mind-set. He also mentioned that Microsoft’s instructional overtures make considering its platform “a high priority.”
    Fortunately for Microsoft, many developers ended up attending the meetings, and many of them said that developing for Windows 8 was alluring because the market isn’t as saturated as the App Store. Fortunately for developers, most that already have popular apps on iOS would likely be popular on Windows 8 as well once they’re ported over. According to another developer who attended “it’s a lot easier to get lost in iOS world because there are a million apps out there.” If Microsoft can win over developers for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, the platform might have a chance at competing in the mobile platform wars.

    We’ll have to see how things end up going forward.

    Source: The Technology Review via iDownloadBlog
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Microsoft Tries to Attract iOS Developers to the Windows 8 Platform started by Akshay Masand View original post
    Categories:
    1. iOS,
    2. Apple,
    3. AppStore
    Comments 14 Comments
    1. Airwaves182's Avatar
      Airwaves182 - 12-28-2012, 09:21 PM
      Really hope developers go to Windows phone & BB10. COMPETITION!
    1. hapishyguy's Avatar
      hapishyguy - 12-28-2012, 10:59 PM
      It will happen. Just wait and watch....
    1. iH85CH001's Avatar
      iH85CH001 - 12-29-2012, 12:46 AM
      I would develop for microsoft, however I dont know much now, and for some reason, i am growing quite fond of AppleScript. Anyhow, if they allowed people under 18 to attend their "meetings," the i would be more than happ to start my developer career there.
    1. scroogelives's Avatar
      scroogelives - 12-29-2012, 12:55 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Airwaves182 View Post
      Really hope developers go to Windows phone & BB10. COMPETITION!
      Bb10 there's a joke! If and when it see a public launch it will be so out of date and the people that would have used have dropped their b&b devices after being feed lies over and over via bb! And developers might be waiting to see if windows phone goes the same way as early attempts at phone software!
    1. Mrteacup's Avatar
      Mrteacup - 12-29-2012, 12:56 AM
      I want other powerhouse companies in the tech industry to grow so apple gets pushed
    1. kalpesh78's Avatar
      kalpesh78 - 12-29-2012, 04:11 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by hapishyguy View Post
      It will happen. Just wait and watch....
      yay for the two windows fanboys.
    1. jOnGarrett's Avatar
      jOnGarrett - 12-29-2012, 06:44 AM
      Only 100,000 apps?? when will people learn that number of apps is overused and misunderstood.
    1. Slim J's Avatar
      Slim J - 12-29-2012, 06:49 AM
      Many people won't develop for Windows 8 because it sucks. I have Windows 8 (and I regret upgrading) and I have yet come across a good app
    1. fanboyfanboy's Avatar
      fanboyfanboy - 12-29-2012, 10:49 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by Slim J View Post
      Many people won't develop for Windows 8 because it sucks. I have Windows 8 (and I regret upgrading) and I have yet come across a good app
      Netflix, is the only one ive found. I use it daily, much nicer/faster than going into the browser. But personally I love windows 8 more then 7 just for it's UI. So much easier to find a program your looking for than going into the list of them ( when you don't have a shortcut on your desktop btw)
    1. regkilla's Avatar
      regkilla - 12-29-2012, 01:05 PM
      Quote Originally Posted by kalpesh78 View Post
      yay for the two windows fanboys.
      lmao

      Quote Originally Posted by Slim J View Post
      Many people won't develop for Windows 8 because it sucks. I have Windows 8 (and I regret upgrading) and I have yet come across a good app
      I bet.
    1. teej1410's Avatar
      teej1410 - 12-29-2012, 01:12 PM
      I think it would be cool to develop for Windows 8 but I also think it is a waste seeing as I hate the UI of the OS.
    1. Striknine's Avatar
      Striknine - 12-29-2012, 05:13 PM
      The developers that embrace windows 8 will be the ones laughing when their wallets are fat. I see it being used for business. iPads are not business friendly. Sure there are a few apps that are nice, but I have been trying to use mine for business and find it remarkably limited, but I have been using it for media consumption since debut. I will be purchasing a Surface Tablet here shortly. We use windows 7 in our office and am hoping it will link and sync to what is on our desks. Mark my words "Never doubt Microsoft".
      As far as apple is concerned, I see them re-releasing their iPad over and over each year with a small updates. Next march we will see a thinner iPad. After that they will make them in different colors. No more ground breaking revolutionary products, just features we could have had two years ago. I know your probably thinking this guys an Apple bashing Troll. I.m actually not, I just gave up on hoping they would release a tablet for business people. Do you know how many kids and elderly people use an iPad? Me either, but I'm sure there are millions. I don't want the same tablet grand mom uses.
    1. Jahooba's Avatar
      Jahooba - 12-29-2012, 06:10 PM
      As a developer of a theme, I have to say that Windows 8 is less alluring because there's a unified interface design theory. Squares. If I could think of the most boring shape on the planet it would be a cube or box. It gives the greatest amount of volume per unit. It is pretty much the most efficient shape for a 2D image one can attribute. This, however mathematically correct, is also the most boring.

      Quote Originally Posted by Striknine View Post
      The developers that embrace windows 8 will be the ones laughing when their wallets are fat. I see it being used for business. iPads are not business friendly. Sure there are a few apps that are nice, but I have been trying to use mine for business and find it remarkably limited, but I have been using it for media consumption since debut. I will be purchasing a Surface Tablet here shortly. We use windows 7 in our office and am hoping it will link and sync to what is on our desks. Mark my words "Never doubt Microsoft".

      As far as apple is concerned, I see them re-releasing their iPad over and over each year with a small updates. Next march we will see a thinner iPad. After that they will make them in different colors. No more ground breaking revolutionary products, just features we could have had two years ago. I know your probably thinking this guys an Apple bashing Troll. I.m actually not, I just gave up on hoping they would release a tablet for business people. Do you know how many kids and elderly people use an iPad? Me either, but I'm sure there are millions. I don't want the same tablet grand mom uses.
      I kind of agree with the first paragraph. Microsoft essentially breaks free of the "My way or the highway" mentality of Apple. Open source is the future, for sure.

      However, I can't agree with the second paragraph so much. I'm far from being an Apple 'fanboy' - I denounce their business practices whenever I get the chance! But Apple, technologically and realistically, is about a year to a year and a half more advanced than any of the competition.

      It all comes down to Apple having control over new technologies. As long as Apple has the money, up-front, to purchase or subscribe to the newest technologies that manufacturers have to offer, they'll stay on top. And last I heard, Apple was sitting on a greater pile of cash than the GDP's of many small countries. It may be folly to discount Microsoft, but it's a sin to discount Apple.
    1. hogcia's Avatar
      hogcia - 12-30-2012, 08:49 AM
      As a developer, seeing how Microsoft still owns over 85% of the desktop market, developing apps for it should NOT be a question. $$$$$$$
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