Microsoft details how iPad app development compares to Windows 8
Summary: In an apparent attempt to attract iPad developers, Microsoft has posted a case study comparing iPad app development to Windows 8 Metro-style tablet development.
Microsoft officials have posted to the Windows Dev Center a design case study that compares and contrasts iPad app development with Windows 8 Metro-style app development.
(click on image above to enlarge)
"In this case study we want to help designers and developers who are familiar with iOS to reimagine their apps using Metro style design principles. We show you how to translate common user interface and experience patterns found in iPad apps to Windows 8 Metro style apps," explain the case study authors in their introduction.
The case study isn't a how-to. It is more of a visual comparison, showing how an iOS-based photo journal app works and looks on the iPad as compared to a Windows 8 tablet. The brief article focuses on the differences in layout and navigation; commands and actions; orientation and views; notifications; and touch gestures.
The article also touches on contracts. Microsoft officials first outlined the contracts concept publicly at the Build conference in September 2011. Since then, they've published a bit more guidance on contracts to the Windows Dev Center.
A Windows 8 contract, as Microsoft describes it, "is like an agreement between Windows and one or more apps. Contracts define the requirements that apps must meet to participate in these unique Windows interactions." Developers of Metro-style apps -- a k a WinRT-based apps -- are encouraged to make use of these contracts.
In a March 2012 piece on app contracts and extensions, the team itemized the different available Windows 8 contracts. These include:
App to app picking: Designed to "help users pick files from one app directly from within another app"
Play To: Helps users play digital media to connected DLNA devices from within an app
Search: Adds a search pane to an app "so users can search not only your app's content but content from other apps as well," according to Microsoft's description. "Users can also transfer the search query itself to other apps."
Settings: Provides in-context access to settings that affect the user's experience with an app
Share: Meant to help users share content from your app with another app or service, and vice versa. "Participating in the Share contract means that you don't have to write extra code or provide other developers with an SDK for your app just to share content," Microsoft officials explained.
If you've heard Windows execs claim that "the more apps you put on Windows 8, the more powerful and richer your experience gets," it's their hope that new Windows 8 apps will incorporate contracts that is behind this claim.
A couple more quick links of potential interest to Windows 8 developers and wannabes:
- Microsoft is holding an event at its Silicon Valley campus on April 4 that is aimed at startup developers and designers. There will be hacking stations and Windows 8 deep dive information shared there.
- There is also an "HTML5 community night" event on April 10 at Microsoft Mountain View. These are focused on open-source projects using HTML5. They look a lot like the original Microsoft Mix events, with participants from Adobe, Google, Mozilla and Microsoft on the docket. The three-hour event also will be Webcast, according to a blog post from a Microsoft developer evangelist.
(Thanks to Softie Harry Mower for the link to the iPad vs. Windows 8 case study.)
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Talkback
Windows 8 tablets factored in my decision not to buy the new iPad
So far, everything I've seen from Microsoft about Windows 8 is very encouraging.
EDITED so as not to offend DannyO_0x98
rather than wait
Android is good...
That said, if Asus releases a Windows tablet that is constructed to dock similarily I'll happily jump ship. ICS's version of multitasking isn't bad for what tablets are now, but really don't measure up in the same way Windows 8 achieves it. It's an organic evolution of the desktop experience into the tablet interface, and I can't wait to get my hands on one.
No thanks
For people who don't have a tablet today and are looking for primarily a media consumption device without big productivity expectations, the iPad 3 would probably be a fantastic purchase.
EDITED so as not to offend DannyO_0x98
LG is not a developer
Not really interested in Android as it inevitably becomes which version I'm developing for and a series of complaints from people where the app doesn't quite work on their version.
You can complain all you like about tiles (perhaps if we called them big, dynamic, animated icons people would be happy), but apps just look better on Win 8 and the interface guidelines make sense. Most importantly, my app will run on desktop, laptop, slate and phone.
I think being a Microsoft fanboy
What?
I bought, and liked an iPhone 4 and an iPad 2. I even said so right in my post:
"though it has been a great entertainment device" (talking about my iPad 2)
And my iPhone 4 has been great as an entertainment device AND a productivity device. My iPhone 4 has given me absolutely everything I expected to get when I bought it. No complaints.
Sorry buddy but you'll have to come up with something better than "you never like Apple products", a quote that you made up since those were never my words. I've never complained about no Micro SD slot, no removable battery, or having to buy apps for a curated app store.
toddbottom3
Have proof?
Can you link to all these lengthy posts I wrote about how much better WP7 was than iOS or Android? If not, I think it will be plain for all of ZDNet to see that every single post you make needs to be seriously questioned for accuracy.
Holdin' out
I have no problem with that
ROI?
Or maybe you've bought this as an asset of your small business (and are carefully logging personal and business use to properly deduct from taxes.) If so, I hope you are taking into account depreciation: I'd suggest a three year schedule. Though that raises the question, would you figure the ROI on one of the F's of FF & E (the iPad being an E, of course), such as a chair?
Here's the - as the teen accountants would say - toe-tally aw-Sum thing: your ROI in years 3 through infinity are through the roof!!!!!! Just like my ROI did the elephant dance when a first-gen MacBook Air I got for free manifested itself as the best testing platform for some code I'm going to ship and get paid for shortly. Mind you, I don't think that way. I was just happy that I had on the shelf a slower, smaller device that matched what the users seem to have.
Or are you just saying that you ended up using the iPad for work less than you anticipated and that disappointed you, and you chose to decorate the point with quasi-accounting because, ironically, you thought it made your opinion - about which I have no problem - more erudite and/or less mockable?
You got it exactly right
Sorry I offended you with my use of the term "ROI". What term would have made you feel better about my post? Here, I'll even edit that term out of my post. Hopefully that makes you all happy inside.
Good for MS. I hope this aids MS in it's attempts to gain
Pagan jim
But Windows 8 is no iPad
it's meanwile.
It's actually, "meanwhile".
Yeah, I know, probably a "typo".
As long as you're here, ZDNet isn't virus free
Jailbreak
Yes, let's develop on a platform that will be subject to viruses/malware
When people start having their tablets act up in public and malfunction due to viruses and malware like regular Windows systems do I'm sure the Apple crowd is going to sympathize with them.