Windows 8 has Launched. Now the Real Fun Begins!

Today is the day — The day Microsoft stated that Windows 8 would launch into the retail channel. It is also the day that people will start getting Microsoft Surface RT devices. It is also the day when we’ll begin to see if Microsoft’s bets in these technologies will pay off. Granted, that might take a few weeks or months to see.

While today was pegged as the official launch, Microsoft did an event yesterday in New York. My co-worker, Darryl Taft over at eWeek, covered the event: Microsoft Windows 8 Officially Unveiled at NYC Event. You can check out his article to see how things went in New York yesterday.

Of course, one of the key success factors that seems to be tossed around these days is the number of applications a store and/or platform has. Microsoft is stating that there are more applications available today for Windows 8 then there was for other platforms when they launched. That’s a good sign if true.

As Windows 8 has gotten closer, it seems that more people have started jumping on the Win8 development bandwagon. In fact, I find it fun to try to build something with new platforms. Since developing for Windows 8 uses my existing knowledge, it seemed like it wouldn’t be too hard to build an application. As of yesterday, my application written with a bit of C# and XAML can now be found in the Windows App Store. Tile Slider was approved and is now available. Now that I’ve seen the process, and survived with only a bit of grumbling (apologies to several of my Microsoft friends about that), I’m ready to start working on the next one. My daughter has already approved the concept, so I know I’ll have at least one download when I get it built.

I have also worked with one of our writers to have him build an application that can list the articles on CodeGuru. Chris Bennett started working on this application less than two weeks ago. The Developer.com Network Reader application has gone live today! 

Chris has written an article here on CodeGuru (Building the Developer.Com Windows 8 App) to show you what he built and to share the code. Obviously, you can’t use the images, but the code is there for you to check out and to see how easy it is to build a feed-driven application. This first edition of the reader application isn’t overly complex. We’ll see what can be done to evolve it as time progresses. For now, take a look and see what we have launching!

Windows 8 is here. There is a new style of app. While you might think that the success of a Windows Store App is highly unlikely, just remember, there used to be a bunch of mainframe and corporate guys who though that PC applications would never be successful. With around 8000 apps already in the store and 100,000 targeted by Microsoft in the first year, it seems many people are building applications — or will be. I’ve done it, so I know it’s really not that hard!

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Note that this site does business with companies mentioned in this blog. Note that the opinions expressed in this blog are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer or anyone else.

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