Microsoft has claimed its decision to press the reset button with Windows Phone will benefit developers, with cross-platform development with Windows 8 now a priority.
In a statement delivered to PocketGamer.biz, a Microsoft spokesperson said its move to break with Windows Phone 7 is designed to make developers' lives easier, not harder.
Share and share alike
"The move of Windows Phone to sharing a core with Windows 8 means that, for today, there are many scenarios in which developers can develop application experience, in a manner designed to maximise code reuse and minimise duplication of effort in delivery to both Windows and Windows Phone," said Microsoft's spokesperson.
"Windows 8 and Windows Phone both utilise the same familiar Metro UX platform, and with Windows Phone 8, are now built on the same shared core set of technologies, which means that developers will be able to leverage much of their work writing applications and games for one to deliver experiences for the other."
The side effect of all this, however, is the inability for Windows Phone 7 owners to make the leap to the new platform.
Instead and, indeed, as much publicised by Nokia they will be offered the "Windows Phone 8 experience" through an update that superficially mimics the new platform's home screen.
Feature focus
"We only gave a sneak peek at what Windows Phone 8 enables," said the spokesperson of new features set to ship with Apollo.
"In addition to a shared core with Windows 8, many of the new Windows Phone 8 devices will include multicore chips, NFC and more screen resolutions that light up a brand new Start Screen, better IE-based browsing, even more capable apps, enterprise device management and device encryption, and a long list of new features that we'll be sharing in the weeks and months to come."
Of existing Windows Phone owners, Microsoft said partnerships with the likes of Zynga to deliver new content to the old OS as well as Nokia's vow to support its Lumia handsets should mean consumers won't find the split all too painful.
Window of opportunity
It is developers and not consumers, however, that Windows Phone 8 appears to be targeting first.
"For developers, we're especially pleased to announce support native application and game development in the release of Windows Phone 8, as now developers can build DirectX games with C++, as well as component libraries for XAML applications," concluded the spokesperson.
"We have only scratched the surface on many of the benefits that accrue as a result of Windows Phone being moved to the same core as Windows 8."
Interview
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Related Articles
News
May 18th, 2024
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Week in Mobile Games E12 - Xbox's mobile games store and Unity vs. AppLovin
Top Stories
News
8 hours, 57 minutes ago
Will your players earn you the Pocket Gamer People's Choice Award 2024?
News
11 hours, 25 minutes ago
NetEase’s Once Human opens up mobile pre-registrations after 13 million on PC
Feature
10 hours, 24 minutes ago
Case study: How Supercent’s games made it to the top in a stagnating hypercasual market
Feature
12 hours, 22 minutes ago
“There has been an increase in funding opportunities for African developers with more exciting times to come"
Events
Nordic Game Spring 2024 | Nordic | May 21st |
Impact 2024 - Indie Games | May 23rd | |
Morocco Gaming Expo | Africa | May 24th |
MomoCon 2024 | North America | May 24th |
For The Win 2024 | Europe | May 29th |
Unreal Fest Gold Coast 2024 | Australasia | May 29th |
Indie Craft K-Game Festival 2024 | Europe | May 31st |
GDCy Fest 2024 | May 31st |