14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft continues its global struggle to convince developers to create apps for the newly-released Windows 8 platform with a new service aimed at those who’re willing to cope with this task straight from their browser.
The so-called TouchDevelop App is a browser-based Windows 8 app creator that can be used by all developers who want to create software for the new OS at no cost.
The service asks users to sign in with Windows Live, Facebook or Google accounts to get access to all features.
“TouchDevelop Web App is a development environment to create apps on your tablet or smartphone, without requiring a separate PC. Scripts written by using TouchDevelop can access data, media, and sensors on the phone, tablet, and PC,” Arjmand Samuel, senior research program manager, Microsoft Research Connections, explained.
“The script can interact with cloud services, including storage, computing, and social networks. TouchDevelop lets you quickly create fun games and useful tools, turning your scripts into true Windows Phone and Windows 8 apps.”
What’s more, the browser-based app creator allows developers to download the scripts on the local drives and then convert them to Windows Phone or Windows 8 apps.
“TouchDevelop Web App’s editor and programming language have been designed for tablet devices with touchscreens, but you can also use a keyboard and a mouse,” the Microsoft official added.
The lack of Windows 8 apps is considered one of the main drawbacks of the new Microsoft platform, despite the company’s global efforts to get closer to developers.
Unofficial reports suggest that Windows 8’s Windows Store currently has approximately 25,000 apps, most of them available with a freeware license. Microsoft expects this growth to continue in the next couple of months before eventually reaching a record 100,000 apps available to Windows 8 adopters by February 2013.