Windows Phone API Mapping Tool Now Includes Android
Today Microsoft is releasing a comprehensive package for Android developers to easily learn Windows Phone and port their app to Microsoft’s phone platform.
The package consists of:
The Windows Phone API mapping tool is targeted at helping developers find their way around the Windows Phone platform. It’s not a magic wand, but it does provide a “pocket dictionary” type experience.
API mapping tool feedback:
When we opened the API mapping tool, we invited developers to offer up their ideas (https://wp7mapping.uservoice.com) about what mapping we should cover. With this new version including Android, we’ve also introduced the possibility to add comments directly on the existing mapping. So if you want to provide additional details or if you spot something inaccurate, just add a comment, we’re listening!
Getting help when porting your applications?
Mapping is tedious on-going work. Don’t expect a mapping for all of the APIs, simply because the platforms are built upon different architectures and user interfaces. We’re working on expanding the coverage of the API Mapping tool for both iOS and Android, but there will be some situations where you might be stuck, not knowing what way to port your feature over from iOS or Android to Windows Phone. We’re willing to help!
We have hired the “App Guy” who crawls developer forums aggregating discussions from different locations to answer questions related to porting iOS and Android applications to Windows Phone, but hey, that’s just one guy for now, anybody can help out. Tell us if we’ve missed something and tag your questions/answers so that we can find them (see guidance) and show them off.
Getting Started on Windows Phone Development
Whether you’re a new or existing Windows Phone developer, now is the perfect time to take the next step and be what’s next in mobile. The checklist is simple:
- Register on App Hub at https://create.msdn.com. You’ll find training videos, labs, and free developer tools.
- Start a Windows Phone project and get ready for Mango with the new Beta Windows Phone Developer Tools 7.1
- Sign up for free technical and marketing support for your Windows Phone application on Microsoft Platform Ready.
ISV Videos on Windows Phone 7
For videos on how other ISVs got started developing for Windows Phone 7, see:
- XNA Game Development on Windows Phone 7 in One Sitting
- Windows Phone 7 Game Begins Life in WPF -- Now a Silverlight, Ad Supported App
- Talking with Karmak.com about business applications on Windows Phone 7
- BinaryDads talk about building applications for Windows Phone 7
- Game Design and Development in Silverlight for Windows Phone 7
- Credit Card Processing for Windows Phone 7 on Windows Azure
- Crowd-Sourcing Public Sector App for Windows Phone, Azure
- Teenager Makes Money Writing Windows Phone 7 Apps with AdCenter
Wes Yanaga | Platform Evangelist | Microsoft Corporation