Xamarin today announced a partnership with Microsoft through which members of the Microsoft Development Network will receive free or discounted access to its services. The partnership is a validation of sorts for Xamarin, which updated its service in February to make it easier for developers to easily make software that can run on a variety of platforms. Microsoft previously partnered with Corona Labs, another cross-platform development service, to add support for its Windows platforms. But where that deal is meant to encourage developers to make software for Microsoft’s operating systems, this partnership with Xamarin is meant to help those using Microsoft’s development tools make software for other platforms. Click here to read the full story on this new partnership.