| So, because Apple and (to a much lesser extent) Google lock down their platforms, I should be OK when Microsoft tries to do it too? I don't use iOS for the same reason that I won't use any of Microsoft's newly walled-in tech and I don't use certain Google products for the same reason. > what technology you are referring to? I'm referring to Metro/Modern/Windows Store/Universal apps and Edge. - On Windows if I want to distribute a Metro/Modern app, I have to go through Microsoft's store. At least Android allows non-Google app stores and side-loading with the flick of a switch. - Metro/Modern apps are not allowed talk to desktop apps. Even Chrome extensions and apps aren't as locked down as Metro. - It looks like they're considering applying the same restrictions to Edge. Edge apps might only be able to talk to Windows Store apps. None of this is OK with me. I never wanted Microsoft to do anything like Apple because I honestly don't like the way they do anything. > .NET is running pretty much everywhere now... Xamarin isn't Microsoft and this is not relevant to my point but here is what I think about Xamarin. Not yet. Not really. Relatively nobody is using Xamarin tools because they are too expensive compared to the free or low cost tools that are available for building straight iOS and Android apps (or even cross platform ones with Javascript). |
If you spend any time at all talking with .NET developers (of which there are millions), many are very excited about Xamarin and being able to use their existing knowledge to build native cross-platform apps.