Microsoft’s Dev center website is encouraging iOS developers to rethink their apps and port them to Windows 8 as a Metro style app. The article details the design elements that distinguish a Windows 8 metro app from its iPad counterpart.
The example focuses on a connected photo journal that lets its users view and manage their photos and videos online. Besides being a mini-tutorial, the post also points out those aspects of Windows 8 that make it better than iOS. One of the most notable features is the larger screen which is available on the desktop version of the operating system.
In its current form, the guide is more a promotional and educational tool, not a detailed set of instructions on building a Windows 8 app. It’s undoubtedly there to help developers see the benefits of Windows 8 and get them excited about the platform before its launch later this year. Microsoft sees the success of the iOS App Store and understands that a library of quality apps is an important aspect of an OS.