Microsoft this week released its Windows Phone Developer Tools Beta, nearing the final release of the toolkit for developing apps and games for Windows Phone 7. While some developers are eager to try it out, others are taking a wait-and-see approach until they are convinced it’s worthwhile.
This release includes Microsoft expression Blend for Windows Phone, the Developer Registration Utility, an XAP Deployment tool and Silverlight control templates, and also features the most recent Windows Phone 7 API.
The challenge for Microsoft is to regain support from many in the development community who have made the move over to iPhone and iPad development. Microsoft doesn’t have a sister tablet for Windows Phone 7 apps to run on, and developers have been reluctant to get back on the Microsoft bandwagon.
