IT Professionals

Developers On The Fence Regarding Windows Phone 7

Posted by on Oct 7, 2010 | One Comment

Even though Windows Phone 7 is just around the corner, it seems like some developers are waiting to see how things go before committing much in the way of development effort. I suppose it’s understandable considering the fact that this is what many consider to be a new mobile OS.

But is it also not logical to jump on board this new mobile OS early, as it could be the best opportunity to leverage a new and upcoming opportunity? It makes sense to me. Why not jump on board right away? Why wait?

Imagine if developers waited to see about Android in lieu of the iPhone’s iOS? If all of the early developers for that platform had waited for something compelling to happen first, Android today wouldn’t even be on anyone’s radar.

The point is that this chicken or the egg argument being push forth with the new Microsoft mobile OS is pointless. I suggest those who want to gain as many new users as possible develop for the OS that can provide that. All indications show that Windows Phone 7 is going to be worth developing for. Just something for developers to consider.

  • http://www.justenrobertson.com Justen Robertson

    I don’t think it’s a chicken and egg situation. I think it’s anticipation that a phone OS from a company that can’t even build a web browser right let alone an OS for a mobile device that practically lives on the internet is not likely to get a lot of traction, especially considering that existing solutions are already widely adopted and, better yet, free and open-source. Apple knows how to make things sexy; the open source community, especially backed by a powerhouse like Google, knows how to make things cheap and developer friendly. Microsoft knows how to… well, it knows how to exploit and maintain existing monopoly positions and use FUD and other borderline predatory market practices to keep out competition. Not exactly a useful skill in this scenario.

    All signs point to Win7phone being a joke, or best-case-scenario an also-ran sitting somewhere around 10-15% of the market. Not a great platform to take risks on especially in an already incredibly volatile and fad-driven market. I wouldn’t say people who do are “foolish” but, uh, “ballsy” isn’t exactly the word either.