If you're familiar with Microsoft and how the company treats app development on its platforms, then you'll know they are pretty stringent regarding who gets access to their development tools. The Verge reports that Microsoft has big plans to change this, by offering universal, cross-platform apps on its Xbox One console.
In April, the Microsoft is having its 'Build' developer conference. While there are a lot of different speculations being made about this event, the one topping developers' lists is that Microsoft will allow retail Xbox One units to be turned into dev kits. A new program being released in May will accompany this switch, allowing more developers than ever an opportunity to craft games on the Xbox One architecture.
Much of the gaming industry is still divided over Microsoft's motion-tracking hardware, Kinect. Lots of developers have quietly been saying that Kinect is underperforming, so we're not sure what kind of role the hardware will play in future app development. Hopefully, Microsoft clears some of the fog surrounding Kinect support at one of their many Summer events.
