14 DAY TRIAL // Recently, Redmond-based software giant Microsoft confirmed plans to support homebrew applications development for its newly launched mobile operating system, Windows Phone 7.
For some, this does not come as a surprise, though it was not the move that others might have been expecting from the company, that's for sure.
It all started with the release of an unlocking tool for Windows Phone 7, which was made available for download back in November, with the purpose of offering a wide range of users the possibility to install unapproved applications on their devices.
The team that came up with the application, called ChevronWP7, was contacted by Microsoft soon after, and a meeting aimed at discussing homebrew app development for Windows Phone 7 was set.
That meeting took place last week, and the ChevronWP7 team says that things went pretty well, with Microsoft committing to offering support for their goals.
“Although a large majority of the content presented by Microsoft is covered by a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which we voluntarily agreed to, we can say we’re genuinely excited by many of the forward-looking presentations. We can only hope they come to fruition as soon as possible,” they note.
According to them, the discussions were focused on the importance of homebrew support on Windows Phone 7, as well as on the segment of people that would be affected by this.
Moreover, direct and indirect benefits of homebrew applications development on Windows Phone 7 was discussed too, as well as the manner in which risks can be managed.
“With that in mind, we will work with Microsoft towards long-term solutions that support mutual goals of broadening access to the platform while protecting intellectual property and ensuring platform security,” the team states.
They also confirmed that the bug that enabled them to come up with the ChevronWP7 Unlocker tool will be fixed in the next update for Windows Phone 7, and that the utility will not be usable after.
“To fill this short-term gap, we’re collaborating with Microsoft on an interim solution that will continue to support homebrew developments after the update. We will share details of this when it has been finalized,” they note.
Of course, it remains to be seen how exactly all this would come into shape, but, at least for the time being, things seem promising for end users, that's for sure.