A Rising Star – Windows Phone 8
Windows Phone 8 shares some functionality with traditional Windows systems, including
integrated Internet Explorer 10 and the ability to run a version of Microsoft Office.
More notable features include a Wallet Hub that allows third party apps to advertise
discounts and “Proper” multi-tasking to allow for several apps to run at once.
It’s
expected that Windows Phone 8 will give Microsoft a foothold in the mobile market.
In fact, a 2012 report from the International Data Corporation (IDC) speculates
that Windows Phone will become the second most widely used smartphone platform by
2016.
Business and Pleasure
Windows Phone is an ideal platform for gamers, since it integrates the community
interface for the hugely popular Xbox Live. The interface offers a better gaming
experience for the end-user over traditional mobile platforms, with the ability
to manage avatars and achievements on the go. As mobile gaming increases in popularity
with mobile users, your app ideas with gaming features and an excellent team of Windows Phone 8 developers can create gaming magic.
Windows encourages developers to create apps on their platform and offer programs
like the Windows 8 Software Development Kit (SDK) to make it friendly to mobile app developers.
This particular program provides abundant information on designing an easily manageable
UI including touch interaction patterns, animations, and integrating other devices.
Symbian Still a Player
Symbian, although a less prevalent operating system, was featured on Nokia smartphones
as recently as last year. Research from IDC suggests that smartphone users made
Symbian third in overall market share at the beginning of 2012, behind Android and
iOS. Nokia also offers
software development kits including Qt, Java, C++, and Adobe
Flash Lite, which detail the process of creating a functional and modern UI. Each
SDK also provides an emulator to test your app without having to possess a phone
with the Symbian platform.
Open Source Comeback?
HP recently made webOS open source. Although this changes the operating system’s
course in terms of the smartphone industry, it has brought new possibilities for
developers to exercise their creativity. Their SDK and article libraries provide
tools and extensive information on
programming, in-app purchasing and best practices
for app development, among other things. HP has announced it will remain committed
to WebOS, and the public should be as well.