This time around Microsoft means business. They want a mobile version of Windows to work so badly that they’re doing things right. Which is the way it should be. To kick off MIX 2010, Microsoft unveiled the new Windows Phone 7 Series SDK, which allows developers to easily create apps for WP7 phones. Included dev tools like Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone 7 Series, a free add-in to use with Visual Studio 2010 RC, XNA Game Studio 4.0, Windows Phone 7 Series Emulator for application testing, and a version of Expression Blend for Windows Phone will allow apps to really come to life this time.
The app store in the meantime looks sleek, there will be try-before-you-buy options, one-time credit card charges for app purchases, mobile carrier billing, and ad-support in apps. Start-ups and giants like the Associated Press, gaming gurus NAMCO and EA Mobile, streaming media devs like Pandora and Sling, awesome companies like Foursquare and Seesmic, and a hive of others including Weatherbug, PopCap games, SPB Software and more. And just to dash your hopes, the Windows Phone Marketplace will be the only place to get apps onto your phone.
Again, Microsoft means business.
Source: Mircosoft
