Just how big is the Windows community? There are 1.2 billion Windows users globally, with 690 million currently on Windows 7. Microsoft has announced upgrade pricing for its upcoming Windows 8 operating system. Anyone running a copy of Windows from the last decade (Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7) can upgrade for USD40 – WOOTTT? SO CHEAP AND AFFORDABLE!  With the plethora of new devices coming up with Windows 8 – from Notebooks, Slates, Convertibles, Ultrabooks, Tablets, etc – you can imagine how that number will grow. Want to be the next big app developer? You’ve got a golden opportunity to catch here.

We’re just less than a week away (6 more days to go!) from the launch of Windows 8. I’m sure the resources that we’ve provided so far are more than enough for you to get started and submit your first Windows 8 app/game to the store. In my previous post –Lessons from Fruit Ninja Developer Dojo, Halfbrick mentioned that they’re excited about the launch of the new platforms, Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 and the opportunities that the platforms would open up for developers. And here, I’ve gathered more compelling reasons to get you started:

Clear, Concise App Requirements

Many developers are often frustrated when their apps get rejected without any valid reason. With Windows Store, the approval process is very simple and straightforward. There are 7 concise, clear and sensible steps to fulfill. So rather than trying so hard to develop an app just to pass the store’s requirements, you can now satisfy the Windows Store’s requirements quickly, allowing you to give more focus on creating great apps.

Easy, Streamlined Payments

The Windows Store payment process has been streamlined and simplified. You don’t have to enter your bank account and tax information right away; you can focus on finishing your app and deal with payment details once you’re ready. For those who love crunching numbers (I’m not one for sure), you can export detailed payment data that can be graphed, charted, or otherwise manipulated. This enables developers to track progress and discover trends and valuable insights within their sales data.

Documentation That’s Actually Helpful

Developer documentation is rarely as helpful and as extensive as Microsoft’s Windows 8 app development documentation. It goes well beyond the basics, and even offers case studies, multiple languages, downloadable starter assets, and even insights on specific topics such as game design, API use, and general planning practices. Whether your weapon of choice is C++ or a combination of HTML5 and JavaScript, you’ll find expert help for every facet of your project, including surprising topics such as making the most of your presence with the Windows Store and guides for very specific kinds of (banking, stock, reading) apps. And you’ve got the 3500 code samples that you can make use of directly from your Visual Studio. HOW COOL!

User Experience Guidelines That are Actually Usable

Many other interface guidelines feel less like truly helpful advice on designing an intuitive user experience and more like a long set of mandated laws. The Windows Store UX guidelines are helpful enough that you’ll probably never need to go elsewhere to ebooks, websites, podcasts, or tutorials, which is more than can be said for the vast majority of app marketplaces. The guidelines cover navigation patterns, help with migrating a web-based or iOS app to Windows 8, and interface advice for specific app categories like news apps, productivity apps, and games.

No Fees to Get Started (for Microsoft BizSpark account holder)

Smart Connectivity

Excitingly, developers will have the opportunity to use Windows 8’s knowledge of the user’s connectivity – i.e. whether they are on data and approaching their limit, currently on roaming or on unlimited high speed broadband – to create smarter apps that optimise for an adaptable awesome user experience.

A Continuity Focused UX

You can now create applications that cater to a huge range of devices all running one OS that offers potentially seamlessly continuity between devices. The software stays the same and the devices can change but only if the user chooses to. One tablet can offer the connectivity of a classic PC with the portability and adaptability of the latest in mobile devices. How will your app move with users as they transfer from home and leisure to work and enterprise?

Apps Take The Limelight

When conducting tests on user experience Microsoft discovered that subjects who played on Windows 8 for an hour before being asked to sketch what they remembered from their session – the results produced sketches of apps and their content not tool bars, scroll bars and other previously iconic and memorable Windows visuals. These full screen, immersive applications make content the star, whatever the size of device being used. How will you make the most of the varying screen sizes to deliver and exciting experience across the platform?

Multiple Revenue Opportunities

The Windows 8 store has a standard revenue model delivering 70% to the app owner and 30% to Microsoft. Once an app exceeds $25k revenue there is a reward of a drop to just 20% going to Microsoft. You can also create an app which employs in-app purchasing or similar revenue models and keep all of the revenue from this particular stream.

Don’t Get Lost In The User’s App Menu

There is a free cloud service for apps wishing to use push/pull notifications, how would you make the most of this service to keep users engaged and live tiles looking stunning and informative? You can even develop for the Lock Screen and engage users before they’ve even logged into the system.

Semantic Zooming

The semantic zooming functionality of Windows 8 can be an opportunity to offer multiple detail levels of app content as a user zooms in and out – offering them a rich, streamlined experience.

It’s All About The Way You Interact

Perhaps your app can make the most of the Windows 8 touch options, such as; pen specific touch, which allows users to write and draw extremely accurately on the screen. Plus, going a step further, you can employ the pressure sensitivity to allow for more pronounced visuals that emulate real life interaction with pen and paper or brush and canvas as evidenced in the Fresh Paint app, already available in the store.

Location Awareness

Location awareness comes built in to the OS, so why not take full advantage of the opportunities to include geo-tagging, maps, location specific content and more?

Open Apps are Friendly Apps

By setting certain open data sharing parameters you can not only allow your app to interact with already existing apps such as email, Facebook and more but with apps published after yours, perhaps a future Myspace app will be your user’s favourite way of sharing your apps content. No problem, one installed it should automatically be able to share content from your app via the right hand side placed “Charms” menu in the OS. In what ways do you see your app playing with other apps?

Another Platform = A Developmental Headache?

Quite the opposite! Not for those working in other languages or those developing for other platforms such as iOS and Android. The Windows 8 development platform is the same for .net javascript and C++ – even allowing apps to be built in HTML and CSS for you developers out there with a web background. There is an extremely low barrier to entry, using Visual Studio 2012 (express) plus Blend which are both available free.

Source: BuildMobile, Ubelly

HACKATHON!!!!

In case you’re not aware of it, Microsoft will be holding a worldwide hackathon for WOWZAPP 2012: Worldwide Hackathon for Windows — Singapore.

When & Where

MicrosoftMicrosoft – Level 21 Auditorium1 Marina Boulevard Singapore, Singapore 018989 Singapore Friday, 9 November 2012 at 19:00 – Sunday, 11 November 2012 at 12:00 (SGT)

 

My friends and I will be taking part in this event! So what are you waiting for? Go register and join us for some GREAT FUN!