Skip to main content

RIM and Microsoft making headway with app developers

interestWith all the attention lavished on iOS and Android systems, it seems like other reputable operating systems like Microsoft and RIM get the cold shoulder. But a new study maintains that developers have a growing interest in gearing their work with the legacy companies’ platforms in mind.

A new survey from Appcelerator shows that while Microsoft and RIM haven’t detracted from the immense amount of developer investment in Android and Apple, they have hurt Nokia. Both companies saw an increase in developer interest, whereas Symbian attracted less than 20-percent, and MeeGo similarly struggled.

playbook
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Developers are particularly drawn to RIM’s tablet, the PlayBook, with interest in building for the device doubling in the last few months. We thought the tablet was one of the most impressive at CES, and aside to some back-and-forth about battery life, it’s generally being heralded as an able iPad competitor. “Quite frankly, three months ago we thought this thing [PlayBook] was never going to take off,” Appcelerator’s Scott Schwarzhoff told Reuters.

Recommended Videos

The PlayBook isn’t the only device of its kind grabbing developer attention. Tablet appeal knows no bounds, and Android-based devices as well as the iPad are becoming increasingly popular.

Windows Phone 7 also saw a bump, and let’s be honest: Microsoft could use the ingenuity right now. There’s been some concern over the direction of the phone and when exactly an OS upgrade is coming. While attention from developers won’t solve all its problems, it certainly can’t hurt. The survey found that nearly 40-percent of developers are now “very interested” in Windows Phone 7.

It isn’t terribly revealing that smartphones and tablets have captured developer attention, but it is worth noting that connected TVs are losing it. Developer interest in both Google TV and Apple TV has waned, which is not a ringing endorsement for the struggling systems.

Molly McHugh
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…
Everything you need to know about the OnePlus 13
Official OnePlus 13 product renders showing rear panel colors.

OnePlus is an excellent brand that offers powerful flagship phones at a great value compared to some of its competitors. We followed every rumor about the OnePlus 13 for months, but now it's here — and it's everything we hoped for. It might not be available in the Western market yet, but it will be soon.

So, what makes the OnePlus 13 so special? Here's everything you need to know about OnePlus' latest flagship.
When is the OnePlus 13 being released?

Read more
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite vs. MediaTek Dimensity 9400: the race is on
Comparison of Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite and MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processors.

The flagship mobile silicon race has entered its next phase, one that will dictate the trajectory of Android hardware heading into 2025. Merely weeks after MediaTek wowed us with the Dimensity 9400 system on a chip (SoC), Qualcomm also pulled a surprise with the reveal of the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

But this time around, the battle is not as straightforward. Where MediaTek is working closely with Arm and adopting its latest CPU and graphics innovations, Qualcomm has firmly put its faith in custom cores. These are no ordinary cores, but a next-gen iteration of the same fundamental tech stack that powers Windows on ARM laptops.

Read more
Discolored line on your new Kindle? You aren’t alone
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition on a table.

The new Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition is the first full-color e-reader, and a lot of bookworms couldn't wait to get their hands on it. Sadly, many people are reporting the display has a discolored yellow area at the bottom of the screen. The problem is so widespread that the Kindle Colorsoft dropped to an average review rating of 2.6 out of 5, although it does remain the bestselling e-book reader at the moment.

The cause of the discoloration isn't clear. Some users report that it only happens when using the edge lighting feature on the Kindle, while others say it appeared after a software update. Either way, the yellowing is a problem, especially on a device that Amazon has marketed as being great for comics and graphic novel fans. It's hard to enjoy the colorwork in a comic when it's distorted.

Read more