Live data from Hacker News

Microsoft releases tool for creating Windows 8 apps in the browser

touchdevelop.com

11–20 of 71 posts

Re: Microsoft releases tool for creating Windows 8 apps in the browser

#12

"Sign in using your account on: Windows Live, Facebook, or Google" Wow, that's really inclusive! I don't see Google or Apple reciprocating anytime soon... I wonder if Google credentials can also be used to submit the final app in the Windows Marketplace.

I actually use my Google email address to log into my Windows account too - they know we don't want yet another email address to manage.

Re: Microsoft releases tool for creating Windows 8 apps in the browser

#13
The typical mode of operation is developing apps in TouchDevelop and running them in TouchDevelop, in the browser (or the WP7 app). If you want, you can also export the apps and sell them in the store, but you will need a dev account.

TouchDevelop is a research project exploring programming paradigms that are more touch-centric.

Think of it as a way of programming your phone or tablet, whatever it may be, on the device itself.

Re: Microsoft releases tool for creating Windows 8 apps in the browser

#14
post #4

EDIT: I'm wrong. See Dan's helpful reply about exporting to a Windows 8 app. --- I think the title is wrong. This doesn't look like it has anything to do with creating Windows 8 apps.

It's accurate. Once you create an app and publish it, you'll find an "Export to Windows Store" button. You need to sign up for a developer account and download the SDK (part of Visual Studio 2012 Express, free) to publish to the store, but this site will do all the work of giving you the app to publish.

Does that mean it only runs on Windows 8 Pro, or does it also run on Windows RT devices?

Re: Microsoft releases tool for creating Windows 8 apps in the browser

#15
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's accurate. Once you create an app and publish it, you'll find an "Export to Windows Store" button. You need to sign up for a developer account and download the SDK (part of Visual Studio 2012 Express, free) to publish to the store, but this site will do all the work of giving you the app to publish.

Does that mean it only runs on Windows 8 Pro, or does it also run on Windows RT devices?

All Windows Store apps run on all versions of Windows 8.

Re: Microsoft releases tool for creating Windows 8 apps in the browser

#16
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's accurate. Once you create an app and publish it, you'll find an "Export to Windows Store" button. You need to sign up for a developer account and download the SDK (part of Visual Studio 2012 Express, free) to publish to the store, but this site will do all the work of giving you the app to publish.

Does that mean it only runs on Windows 8 Pro, or does it also run on Windows RT devices?

TouchDevelop runs in IE10, Chrome (including on Android), Firefox, Safari (on Mac and iOS). You can run apps you create right away, inside TouchDevelop, in the browser.

If you want to sell them, then they will run on Windows Phone, Windows RT and Windows 8. To submit them to the store you will need a Windows 8 PC and a dev account.

Re: Microsoft releases tool for creating Windows 8 apps in the browser

#17

This was a very smart move on Microsoft's part. They recognized and accepted the fact that almost all the developers behind the most popular apps on Android and iOS are running OS X. Releasing an OS X IDE to cater to those developers would have been admitting defeat to Apple in that arena, so they cleverly sidestepped the issue by just creating a web-based IDE instead.

Could you please provide some hard numerical reference that shows that "almost all the developers" that produced "the most popular apps on Android and iOS are running OS X". That would be a great cross referenced treasure trove of data. It seems absurd and borderline illogical that one does not come to have contact with such a fountain of proof that supports the stated inference. This would be an invaluable source. Thank you in advance.

Re: Microsoft releases tool for creating Windows 8 apps in the browser

#19
post #5

In order for Windows 8 to be a success from an app development standpoint, MSFT needs to make their apps the easiest to develop. Their SDK must be the best. They should have starter projects, and go crazy on supplying developer resources & starter apps. They need to make apples development & submission process look and feel outdated. Windows is and will remain a huge OS with a ton of opportunity, but MSFT needs to do…

Developers want a market (consumers), consumers want content (by developers). A classic chicken-egg feedback loop. Easier to develop apps is just one point that can ease the feedback loop, but its not sufficient...nor is it shockingly necessary (just look at Apple). Disclosure: MSFT employee, just sharing what I've learned about platforms (and what many probably already know).

Learning curve != ease. The niceness of Cocoa Touch is one of the things that keeps me working on Apple's platform.
Post reply on HN