More to Come With Windows 8 and Phone 8 Rovio’s change is a good indication that more is in store. Twitter has also announced it is working on an official app, yet another big name app. A trend is emerging here. Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 are doing what Microsoft has been unable to do in the past— attract big name developers. Sure, the flood gates aren’t open wide for big name developers just yet, but we are also talking about an operating system that is brand new. What do you think of the apps in Windows 8 and Windows Phone so far? Any big name apps you feel are missing that are ‘deal-breakers’ for you, or not? [ source ]]]>
There is an important thing you have to realize. Windows Phone 8 allows native code, and, hence, allows porting iOS and Android games. In Windows Phone 7, the developers had to literally recode their entire games for Silverlight and the Windows Phone 7 platform. This, combined with the low market share, was totally not worth it. With Windows Phone 8, developers can reuse codes from various platforms. This is why Angry Birds space was released for Windows Phone 8 only. They had no desire to rewrite the game for Windows Phone 7.
Now, this is also why Unity and other game engines are jumping in to Windows Phone 8. The native code makes these possible. This is also why for the games that were recoded for Windows Phone 7, like the original Angry Birds, it wasn’t updated to be on par with iOS/Android version. Who wants to do code an update twice. With Windows Phone 8, updates will happen.
It’s not only about market share and potential. The amount of effort needed is also important. Even though Windows Phone 8 has LESS market share than Windows Phone 7, developers will code for Windows Phone 8 solely because they can reuse code from and to other platforms.
I hope this makes the scene a bit more clear.
Great point! Thanks.