As a developer, creating cross-platform apps that seamlessly integrate with cloud services can be a daunting task. But what if you could master one language to rule them all? Meet Malte Götz, Rafael Regh, and Kai Brummund, three German students who have been dominating the world of swift app development using Microsoft Azure and Xamarin.
The Power Couple: Azure and Xamarin
Azure is a cloud development platform that supports a wide range of operating systems, programming languages, frameworks, tools, databases, and devices. Meanwhile, Xamarin is a cross-platform framework for mobile app development that allows users to code an app in C# and deploy it to iOS, Android, and Windows devices. When combined, Azure and Xamarin form an unstoppable duo, accelerating app development and making it easier than ever to create beautiful and compelling cross-platform apps.
Real-World Examples
Malte, Rafael, and Kai have been friends for six years and have been working together on various projects. They've created a meal plan app called Mensa Deutschland for German university students, which uses Azure Mobile Services on the backend. Another notable project is 10 Minute Rezipes, a recipe app built using Xamarin and deployed on Windows and Android, with Azure Mobile Services powering its backend.
The Magic of Xamarin
Rafael clears up any misconceptions about Xamarin: "Many students think of Xamarin as this cross-platform magic button, but that's not the case. You're still doing completely native Android and iOS development, just with a different programming language." This means you can code everything in C#, saving tons of time learning new languages.
The Future of App Development
The trio is currently working on a new project, Gabr, a communication startup that aims to make phone calls cool again. Azure powers the entire backend, and Kai highlights the versatility of Azure features: "We use web services with document database, SQL server, Redis Cache, block storage, traffic manager, table storage, and push notifications. It's really cool to see how many services you can integrate together fast and easily!"
Get Started
You don't have to be an expert or a Microsoft Student Partner (MSP) to get started with Azure Mobile Web services and spin up new apps fast. Activate your Azure student offer and start playing around with it. Xamarin is also free for students, plus Microsoft Imagine has a plethora of resources to help you learn how to use these tools quickly, including courses on Microsoft Virtual Academy.
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