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Mar
2
Written by:
Peter Henry
Tuesday, March 02, 2010 10:46 PM
 With Ballmer's/Belfiore's Windows Phone 7 (WP7) announcement, it got me thinking, what's the BEST thing about WP7?
Ya, new hardware is always cool. Silverlight, out of browser is cool too! A new mobile OS is very cool, and the live tiles are cool too. But as GREAT as they are, what is the ABSOLUTE BEST THING about WP7?
In a previous blog, I wrote there were approximately 140,000 iPhone apps out there, with about 725 in Microsoft's Marketplace. Microsoft has admitted they're severing backwards compatibility (Windows Mobile 6.5 now called "Classic" and only on older phones). So, therefore, when WP7 FINALLY ships, you, me, and about a couple thousand other eager beaver developers out there, are going TO BE THE ONLY ONES DEVELOPING FOR WP7!!!!
This is a HUGE opportunity! When was the last time you ever got in on the ground floor of something like this? Were you around when DOS apps started coming out? What about when Windows 1.0 or even 3.0 came out? Were you one of the few writting VB apps back in 91 or what about ASP apps with Visual Interdev? Were you developing C# or VB.NET apps when it first came out? Ok, switch gears, ever hear of OS/2, you ever do any of those apps? Did you get on the Apple iPhone dev band wagon two years ago? Ok, most of probably were following the crowd, which ever way it went. But now, we have a HUGE and VERY unique opportunity to change the world! Ok, maybe a bit dramatic there, but you get the picture, right?
Initially, you might think we're all going to be competing for the same small audience, BUT the difference is, the more of us there are, the more people will be attracted to the Marketplace BECAUSE of the apps we make! It's only when the numbers start sky rocketing over the six figures that searching/finding/buying/grabbing attention begins to be a problem (not a bad problem to have with regards to market penetration though).
Also, since this is a new beginning, WE have the clear advantage and a HUGE head start! WP7 is going to be managed code! AWESOME! Chances are if you're reading this blog, you've got VS 2008, maybe even 2010 running the background. You could even be doing a compile?! So you're no stranger to VB.NET or C#?!
Now's the time to get into this man!
 So what's the best thing to do to help ourselves? MS is rumoured to support Silverlight out of browser. Therefore, the clearest next step (IMHO) is learning XAML/WPF/Silverlight/Expression Blend and most importantly, Silverlight with out of browser support. Ok, so this isn't a perfect suggestion, but if you're coming from the iPhone, OR you're just doing WinForms dev, learning XAML/WPF/SL is the natural next step.
Now that we know we're in the driver's seat with regards to WP7, it's time to grab a coffee and get coding!
Copyright ©2010 Peter Henry
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5 comments so far...
Re: What's the best thing about the upcoming Windows Phone 7 release?
This only works if the technology/platform you are early adopter of becomes a big hit. If t does not, it is just an interesting intellectual exercise.
The biggest issue with WP7 is that there may be single OS platform, but as MS has no control over the hardware, the application will have to deal with huge variety of proprietary hardware variant, use 3rd party bad drivers and kernel extensions etc. Result: big fragmentation, lower stability, bad user experience, expensive testing. PC+Windows all over again.
By Miro on
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 10:36 AM
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Re: What's the best thing about the upcoming Windows Phone 7 release?
"it's time to grab some kool-aid and get coding!"
By Shane on
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 10:27 AM
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Re: What's the best thing about the upcoming Windows Phone 7 release?
re Miro
Yes, you're right, it only works IF the platform becomes a hit, but that won't be known for months from now, if not a year. By then, if we miss the boat, ....welll.....it's another missed opportunity. For me, I HAD the chance with VB, ASP, Java to get in on the ground floor, but that's risky and opens yourself HUGELY to criticism and failure. There has to be something that compels you to push forward no matter what the hurdles. I chickened out with VB in '91 and got on the bandwagon late with ASP, Java and .NET. I don't want to get left behind again! I won't, not THIS time. Yup, it could very well fail in flames, but I know what I'm getting into.
re Shane
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSlurp. Oh, joking aside, I come across this honestly! :> hahaha
Thank you for your comments guys! Very cool to have the exchange of ideas and a healthy dose of "the other side" is not bad/wrong but very healthy. In fact, in a year from now, IF (and ya, a BIG IF) WP7 is successful, people will be looking....hhmm maybe expecting for software companies to product "mobile apps" for their applications and just expect it to work on THEIR device, no matter iPhone, Android, or WP7.
By phenry on
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 10:36 AM
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Re: What's the best thing about the upcoming Windows Phone 7 release?
Ah, reminds me of that famous quote by great grandfather Henry... "Why build for the Model-T because when horse buggies make a comeback, I'll be one of the only ones making buggy whips...", lucky for him though he found an alternate marker... S&M
By Colin on
Thursday, March 04, 2010 10:44 AM
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Re: What's the best thing about the upcoming Windows Phone 7 release?
Thanks for your comment Colin. The thing is, with your example, IF Henry Ford were wrong, then your Grandfather would have made a MINT. Another example is the electric car first made it's presence in the late 80s, uh, the 1880s that is. For those people sinking in their entire savings...well, history wasn't kind to them, at least not for another 100 years.
Today, 03-04-2010, I feel like we're at that cross roads, is WP7 going to be like the Model-T and revolutionalism the world, or will it be like the electric car in the late 1880s or early 1900s? Only time will tell. Until then, I'm going to be learning a boat load of things and hopefully having some fun with it.
By phenry on
Thursday, March 04, 2010 10:48 AM
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