Microsoft launches Windows Phone 8 dev platform

Microsoft launched the new Windows Phone 8 developer platform today at the Build 2012 conference.

Windows 8 aims to streamline multi-platform development by moving all Windows devices to a common core.

This common core means developers can use native languages like C++ for Windows 8 phone apps, and distribute them to users on tablets and PCs as well.

In a post on the Windows blog, Kevin Gallo said moving to a common core meant foundational changes like shifting the .NET framework from .NET CF to Core CLR.

Aside from native C++, developers also get access to well-used tools and common APIs.

Gallo claims that a developer so armed can reach an audience of as many as 500 million units next year.