As Microsoft continues to navigate its new era under CEO Satya Nadella, whispers of a potential acquisition or major investment in Xamarin, a mobile app development startup, are gaining momentum. According to sources familiar with the discussions, Microsoft is poised to make a significant move that could revolutionize its approach to swift app development and cement its position as a major player in the industry.

Xamarin's innovative tools enable developers to code iOS and Android apps using Microsoft development tools like Visual Studio and application life-cycle management platforms. This integration would allow Microsoft developers to create apps for multiple platforms, further solidifying its cloud-first strategy. By acquiring Xamarin, Microsoft could unlock a wealth of opportunities for developers to build cross-platform apps that tie into Windows Azure and other Microsoft services.

"This acquisition would be a game-changer for the .Net community," says Scott Stanfield, CEO of Vertigo Software, a leading Microsoft development partner. "Microsoft would be making it clear that they're committed to supporting developers who want to build apps for both iOS and Android."

The potential acquisition also solves Microsoft's long-standing problem with its app store, which has struggled to keep up with the likes of Apple and Google. By acquiring Xamarin, Microsoft could suddenly find itself with a robust ecosystem of excited developers eager to build Windows Phone apps.

Visual Studio needs to be able to support mobile app development that is platform-agnostic," says Ric Opal, vice president at Peters & Associates, a Microsoft partner. "Developers want to write once and land on any target. If Microsoft makes it easier for developers to build apps for any platform, they will accelerate the quantity and quality of apps in their store."

In addition to its potential impact on the app development community, an acquisition would also benefit Microsoft's carrier partners by reducing the number of support calls they receive when customers switch phones and apps stop working or become unavailable.

Xamarin has already made significant waves in the industry with its official partnership with Microsoft, which aims to make it easier for developers to build native mobile apps using Visual Studio. The startup's technology is being integrated into Microsoft's development tools, and Xamarin's tools are now available to MSDN subscribers.

As Microsoft continues to navigate its new era under Nadella, an acquisition of Xamarin would be a bold statement that the company is committed to supporting developers who want to build apps for multiple platforms. With its cloud-first strategy and focus on making money from Azure and other services, an acquisition could be just what Microsoft needs to stay ahead of the competition in the world of swift app development.

Sources:

  • CRN
  • Xamarin
  • Scott Stanfield, CEO of Vertigo Software
  • Ric Opal, vice president at Peters & Associates