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Re:Windows Phone GM leaving Microsoft, with a rallying cry by runjake on Monday August 08, 2011 @04:20PM (#2861435)
Really, it's been mis-presented by Microsoft.

Developing a WP7 app normally involves C# and XAML (for most UI layout). The frameworks include the usual .NET stuff, as well as Silverlight and XNA (MS's gaming/graphics) frameworks. A competent .NET or Silverlight developer can move into the WP7 development world comfortably.

I don't believe your comment about "dismay" is really accurate. I think Silverlight developers probably fall under one of two buckets: 1) "Cool! I can develop phone apps using my existing skillset!", or 2) "I don't really care about mobile development."

Re:Windows Phone GM leaving Microsoft, with a rallying cry by MartinCron on Monday August 08, 2011 @05:29PM (#2861665)
RE: dismay, I was thinking of a previous article I saw here on HN:

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2644364

although it seems that was a bit over-sensationalized. I agree that at least reasonable SL developers will fall into your two buckets.

Re:Windows Phone GM leaving Microsoft, with a rallying cry by runjake on Monday August 08, 2011 @05:46PM (#2861726)
Yeah, sounds a bit over-sensationalized.

Microsoft is probably silent because they're not sure what technology the final project will use. Some exec could've ignorantly opened their mouth about "html5+js" and left the Win8 engineers groaning.

It'd pretty clear to me that .NET/Silverlight/WPF aren't going away. They are too popular and there's too much activity around those technologies.