1)Have you developed Apps for any other platforms before? If Yes What are they?
Yes. My company Marker (www.markerstudio.com, @markerstudio) developed the #2 free iPhone app in New Zealand early this year for St Johns Ambulance with the St Johns CPR application which helps people learn CPR and deal with an emergency situation. You can learn more about it here http://www.markerstudio.com/iphone/
2)Why did you choose WP7 as a platform of your choice?
I have been working with the .Net platform since it first emerged nearly 10 years ago. I’m finding the development platform of Silverlight and .Net in particular to provide a very enjoyable and productive platform to work on. I also feel that this together with the unique and expansive Metro user interface this provides for a compelling platform both to develop for and to enjoy as a consumer moving forwards. We see WP7 very much as an exciting opportunity.
3)Which one do you think as the single most feature you liked in WP7?
Personally I love the contacts management, the ability to remove duplicates and link information from the same person across various social networks and email providers.
4)Are you satisfied with WP7 Platform development tools?
Very much so. The UI is buttery smooth, the API’s work as intended and the integration with our day to day tools like Visual Studio is seamless.
5)What are the Apps you are developing now in WP7?
We are likely going to be shipping 3 launch apps. The only one I can talk about at the moment is the multiplayer word game AlphaJax (www.alphajax.com, @alphajax). AlphaJax is a word game you can play with your friends over the internet. Check out the videos and website to learn more. If you love word games, you’ll love AlphaJax.
6)In what way Microsoft can improve their WP7 or What does WP7 lacks from?
Of course this Version 1 of the new Windows Phone 7 platform so you would expect a few missing features. I think things like VOIP will be missed initially along with copy and paste and perhaps multitasking (although I don’t see that as much of a day to day big deal as some people reckon). However, I expect Microsoft to integrate quickly and the great thing about it, is that all the Windows Phone 7 phones will receive the same updates at the same time, so when you buy a Windows Phone 7 mobile you know you have future proofed yourself, which not all platforms offer.
7)Future Plans of you?
After getting these launch apps out the door, there is the web version of AlphaJax to finalise (expected a few months after launch). My company Marker is making a serious commitment to the Windows Phone 7 platform and we aim to see continued and growing interest in developing new apps both in our native New Zealand and internationally soon after launch. It’s a very exciting time!
Apart from these questions, Other things you want to share with the community?
I would encourage anyone thinking about developing an app to stop thinking and just do it! Download the developer tools at http://developer.windowsphone.com and find some time to play with the tools and express your ideas. If you’re a .net developer, mobile app development just got a whole lot easier!
Thanks Keith.The game looks very good.All the best for your apps at marketplace.