14 DAY TRIAL // Windows 8 will go on sale next month and Microsoft seems to pay more attention than ever to developers, trying to encourage them to develop apps for the new operating system. And the company’s efforts finally pay off.
A new study conducted by Produxs reveals that developers are very confident that Windows 8 can compete with Apple’s iOS, the operating system that’s currently installed on iPhones. Windows 8 comprises a wide array of apps, including entertainment and productivity solutions.
63 percent of the developers are confident that Windows 8 has what it takes to challenge Apple iOS, while 60 percent of the respondents admitted that the new GUI is what they like the most about the new operating system.
What’s more, 48 percent of those interviewed revealed that they are “excited” or “very excited” about the Windows 8 features, while 34 percent named backwards compatibility as their top concern.
“We agree with our survey participants that the redesigned Windows OS offers a unique opportunity—a winning mix of productivity, entertainment and social connectivity across a broad spectrum of devices, services and systems,” said Ken Hunt, president of Produxs.
Windows 8 will be released on October 25 and will be aimed at a wider audience, as the Redmond-based technology company bundled many more tools as compared to the previous OS iterations.
Developers are also a priority for Microsoft, mostly because the Windows Store, the main environment that provides access to Windows 8 apps, allows them to monetize their software products.
AppFest is one of the best examples in this regard, as Microsoft managed to bring together more than 2,500 developers in a marathon to create Windows 8 apps for no less than 18 hours in a row.