How Attractive Is Windows 10 App Development Situation for Developers?

“A brief demo of Windows 10 at Build 2014 had surely left the world of technology excited, giving them a peep into the possible realm of Microsoft with advanced features and significant tweaks. Developers have been given the strongest reasons to celebrate through New Windows Store Affiliate Program, and updated Windows 10 Microsoft Advertising SDK. However, the most interesting aspect of Windows 10 is believed to be its universal application architecture. It might be too premature to conclude, the benefits and several new capabilities brought out by Microsoft’s new release now; but, in the meantime, let’s have a look at the potential that Windows 10 has unlocked for developers across the globe”.

Windows 10 - A unified platform: It was the most demanding feature by the users throughout the globe and Microsoft has finally stepped up the game for developers this time, by introducing a unified developer platform for a wide range of mobile devices. Windows 10 cracks the code with its universal application architecture that can reach across all of our devices – be it a mobile phone, tablet, desktop, Xbox, or some IoT device etc. The new development platform will finally enables developers to run their apps across multiple Microsoft product families, even across some new products like Surface Hub and HoloLens. Though Windows 10 isn’t meant for everyone; but, the operating system comes with smooth compatibility with the enterprise’s management systems. Moreover, it will allow developers to reuse Apple and Android code in Windows applications.

Unique experience: The OS endeavors to render an enhanced user experience – by improving the way users interact with computer machines traditionally. Windows Phone app developers, in particular, will finally be enabled to get the benefits from Microsoft’s investments in Cortana and speech recognition features. In fact, Windows 10 app development situation will also allow developers to benefit from the system’s holograms and expand their app experiences. Access to a new, refined platform will be rendered to HoloLens developers – as a result of which, they can improve the interactive experience between mobile devices and applications. There is a new web experience ‘Project Spartan’ for Windows 10 as well – which will bring forth interoperability with the modern web.

Maximized investment: We have seen a tremendous effort from Microsoft for helping developers protect their investments. The platform always ensures that its developers benefit the maximum from their contribution. Windows 10 has taken that aspect even further by letting developers create applications with the language of their choice in Visual Studio. The new OS will allow developers to enjoy a wide range of cloud services through Azure. Cross platform solutions will also be supported by Microsoft Windows 10, helping developers bring their solutions to the platform.

Diverse range of developmental benefits: When Win JS was released back in 2014, developers certainly got a reason to explore their options. It was basically intended to help developers use under an open source license across platform. The libraries were simply enhanced soon after with the launch of Win JS 3.0 i.e. an important improvement happened last September. This time, Microsoft aims at improving the experience even further through Windows 10 – which will allow developers to use Visual Studio and C# seamlessly in order to deliver solutions to the iOS and the Android operating systems. In fact, the company has also unleashed support for Visual Studio for native C++ developers, enabling them to build shared libraries for Android and to create native applications for Android.

New Capabilities: The platform boasts of a more harmonized user experience and enhanced functionality between assortments of mobile devices. With Microsoft Windows 10, developers are enabled to experience carrier billing across all Windows 10 powered solutions – eventually increasing purchases in emerging markets by 8 times. While the upgrade is still a few steps behind other operating systems, it offers in-app purchase subscription support and New Windows Store Affiliate Program to its developers. The perks even include updated Windows 10 Microsoft Advertising SDK and extended support for video ads and tracking installation.

Responsive design without any effort: It is rather an inclusive solution (in many ways) since Microsoft has finally provided developers with the ability to build a single application for the complete range of Windows 10 devices. The OS comes integrated with unique UX controls that automatically adjust to different screen sizes – enabling space for the developers to customize their applications. This even expands the horizon for developers to include Cortana and Xbox Live into their apps, build holograms, embed natural user input, and provide more trusted business.

Enhanced Graphics for the developers and users: The OS also introduces Task View, support for fingerprint & face recognition, Microsoft Edge web browser, and updated applications. Windows 10 will benefit developers through its new tweaks into DirectX and WDDM as well – enhancing the OS’s graphic capabilities for games. Although some have criticized the new operating system for its limited operational functionality, Microsoft believes that Windows 10 will refurbish the way developers build applications. Four new SDKs (that have been introduced lately) will enable developers to begin with an existing code base. Developers will also be able to easily incorporate the Universal Windows Platform capabilities and distribute their newly developed apps through the Windows Store – reaching out to as much as 1 billion Windows 10-powered mobile devices. The four SDKs that are now a part of Windows family are – websites, Android Java/ C + +, .Net and Win32, & iOS Objective C. It will definitely encourage the smart app developers to put their little effort to enter into the Windows ecosystem on the solder of their existing smart apps for android or iOS.

Hoping for a bright future ahead: Though there’s still a section of users that need to try Microsoft’s latest offering, Windows 10 definitely looks promising to developers. The universal approach infused into the OS now enables developers to turn an existing website into an application and benefit from the purchases and Xbox Live achievements. It has undoubtedly brought many new capabilities for users and developers – but most importantly, the ability to build universal applications across all Windows powered devices. In a nutshell, Windows 10 app development phenomenon is certainly attractive to developers and to the world of technology.

Mindfire Solutions was one of the first companies in India, to join the smartphone bandwagon: We have been doing it since the day of Brew, J2ME and Palm and were one of the first ones to launch iOS app development services after Apple launched the SDK in 2007. We also have been developing Windows Phone apps for our esteemed clients. We develop elegant and intuitive apps for the Windows Phone, Android, iPad and iPhone, fully leveraging their corresponding OS capabilities. We can turn your ideas into engaging smart apps – apps your users will love. Please free to contact us if you have an existing app that needs a new life or a new app idea, we can turn it into the next big thing. You can also avail our limited period Risk-Free Trial offer now.

Will Windows Phone Be Able to Make a Comeback in iOS and Android Era?

Business means uncertainty! Microsoft acquired Nokia at $7.2 billion in 2013 i.e. really huge and it shows the expectation level of Microsoft from the Nokia mobile business. Unfortunately, it does not move well with Microsoft; may it be due to lack of enthusiasm or may be improper business strategy, but at the end it has to accept the failure. Experts believe that, it could not revive because of its incompetency with respect to aggressive players of the industry like iOS and Android.

iOS and Android have gained a tremendous market share in the Smartphone industry. Though, they are having absolutely contradicting business policies with respect to smart phone business, still both are success in the industry. iOS keeps its phone ecosystem limited by producing flagship models under the in-house apple brand whereas Android keeps it open for every manufacturer; but anyhow, they are getting positive response from the industry that does not happen with Windows phones till date. So, it is really a headache for Microsoft to comeback in the industry that is already loaded with iOS and Android Smartphones.

The problem is with the business policy! Nobody can ignore the potential of Windows operating system in the Desktop industry. It can be well witnessed from the desktop market share in the industry. But, since it has acquired Nokia for the mobile device business, everything goes against it. The most important thing is the quality of Nokia business phones. Though Nokia has an extremely good reputation in the mobile handset industry; but the same does not happen with the Smartphone devices. Except one model i.e. Lumia, no other model is a successful one till date. This is probably because of high competition from already established players like Apple, HTC and Blackberry etc. Nokia Microsoft is unable to produce such standard of high end devices for its customers. Again, the operating system itself is having some trouble i.e. Windows 8.1 and above OS are par behind iOS or Android OS. Experts also believe that, Microsoft was in hurry to enter into the hardware device manufacturing industry instead of concentrating on the Operating System. If it would have more concentrated on its OS just like what Google does, then it might not have to suffer so severely in the industry. So, when all these mistakes mix together resulting a bad output for Microsoft.

Microsoft to follow Apple’s path: After a lots of bad decisions that were taken in a hurry, Microsoft now tries to correct them in a systematic approach. Now, it is adopting the core concept of Apple i.e. to manufacture few flagship products for the user and do concentrate more on the operating system. The CEO Satya Nadella has recently announced that Microsoft will no longer concentrate more on the Phone business instead on the Operating System. He also announced that we will focus on few class business phones with a clear vision to provide better quality of experience to the customer. From his words, it is clear that Microsoft is going to follow Apple’s path with little deviation. Apple produces single phone in a year but now Microsoft will produce 3 categories of Smartphones. The first category phones will for the higher end business users who want strong management options, productivity apps and of course excellent security. The second category devices will be for cost sensitive customers with special focus on the developing countries like India and China etc. Now the third category Smartphones will be gifted to the Windows fans.

Microsoft is firing around 7800 professionals: This is yet another important message to consider. The CEO Satya Nadella’s announcements made the New Yew York Time to make it a headline as “Broad Rethinking”. Microsoft clearly told that, it is going to focus more on its operating system instead of Smartphone device manufacturing. In fact, they have decided to write off most of its Nokia deals to the tune of $7.6 billion today. This clearly shows their complete change of business strategy for the device manufacturing. Again, they are going to fire around 7800 professionals soon. All these things to happen due to failure of Microsoft smart devices in the industry. Microsoft is unable to accumulate profit from its mobile manufacturing business and hence they are now trying to stop it though not completely sooner.

Windows Smartphone business is not as per their early estimates: Players like Google and Apple are way ahead of Microsoft. They are attributing much higher for their operating system than that of Microsoft and this triggers the unexpected result for Microsoft. Microsoft is unable to grow as fast as these players in recent period. It is also cleared that, it cannot compete with these players unless until it focuses more on its business especially on its software part; because, smart app developers are not encouraged enough to develop windows apps due to its low penetration in the industry. To encourage them, Microsoft is now asking developers to develop cross platform apps instead of dedicated one to save its brand. Anyhow, we can’t comment on the real future of any business rather we can simply assume that Microsoft may lose even more if not take some preventives now onwards.

So, has Microsoft accepted its failure? This is the most gossiped topic of internet today. After a lot of mistakes from Microsoft, it might have thought that its ambitious venture is losing its grip with every passing day. Though Microsoft is not admitting the same publicly; but it can be well observed by the industry experts from the recent behaviour of Microsoft. Microsoft is to write off most Nokia deals at $7.6 billion and the recent firing process is making everyone think twice on the future of Windows phones. Yes, Windows phones still matters a lot for Microsoft but not as it was before and it is cleared by Nadella. He is now concentrating more on its operating system instead of mobile devices.

Finally, it is really a question mark for Microsoft how to come back to the battle to fight iOS and Android? But, again we know how much potential Microsoft possess for more than decades. It may come back anytime into the industry; but it is just our assumption and we hope it come true in near future. After all, if Microsoft comes back that means we will get yet another potential offering for our hard earned money while purchasing a new gadget.

Mindfire Solutions was one of the first companies in India, to join the smartphone bandwagon: We have been doing it since the day of Brew, J2ME and Palm and were one of the first ones to launch iOS app development services after Apple launched the SDK in 2007. We also have been doing Windows Phone app development. We develop elegant and intuitive apps for the Windows Phone, Android, iPad and iPhone, fully leveraging their corresponding OS capabilities. We can turn your ideas into engaging smart apps – apps your users will love. Please free to contact us if you have an existing app that needs a new life or a new app idea, we can turn it into the next big thing. You can also avail our limited period Risk-Free Trial offer now.