Even Microsoft might be surprised to learn that developers on Twitter were almost universally positive about its "universal app" plans.
As part of its recent Build conference, Microsoft said it would be offering updates in Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 that would offer a way for developers to create a single app that works across Windows phones, tablets, PCs and the Xbox One. Besides unifying the code base, Microsoft is also offering tools in Visual Studio to assist with optimizing universal apps.
The overall reaction on social media among developers went something like this:
Universal Windows apps. A SINGLE app package for every form factor. YESSSSSSS. #bldwin #zunderbuild http://t.co/v30d9ieEQM
— Zack Williamson (@z_williamson) April 2, 2014
Universal code and stack for all Windows devices/platforms… inc Xbox! Excited to leverage this with @SCADigital team http://t.co/jgLYUaOTDA
— Joe Hardy (@joehardly) April 3, 2014
Of course, developers still want to see more details about how universal apps will work, but the discussions suggested they're ready to hear more.
For the record, I like the universal app concept, just want to be able to have ui's optimized for a platform.
— Wallace B. McClure (@wbm) April 2, 2014
@wbm I agree, still questions but they've got me listening again.
— Douglas Starnes (@poweredbyaltnet) April 2, 2014
@wbm You don't have to use Universal App either. You can ship two seperate apps for WP8.1 and Win8.1 Update1. Same deal as iOS.
— Justin Angel (@JustinAngel) April 2, 2014
Although rumors have been swirling recently that Microsoft might acquire cross-development framework Xamarin, developers wondered if it wasn't a part of the universal apps announcements.
Would make a lot of sense for Xamarin to plug right into universal app view and support iOS and Android views/perspectives. #Build2014
— Jeffrey Hammond (@jhammond) April 2, 2014
In the meantime, some devs suggested Microsoft's other priority should be on the marketing of its new approach to mobile.
instead of Universal App they should have called it OneApp :-) #bldwin
— Chris Woodruff (@cwoodruff) April 2, 2014