I will let this information forwarded to the ClientUI development team for further investigation. I’ll let you know any news I heard from them regarding this topic.

Hello Andre,

Thanks for posting this question. That's a great catch :)

We will, when the time comes, make all our controls available to WinRT which will also works in ARM. However, please be reminded that it's still too early to make any prediction on Microsoft's strategy. The previews in BUILD event were intended to show what Microsoft is doing currently and what they are going to offer in the foreseeable future. However, I suggest you to continue building rich apps using the mature and proven technologies available *today*.

It's best to make it clear that WinRT is supposed to replace WPF, not Silverlight. Silverlight apps run on browsers and works in Windows and Mac. WinRT apps run only on Windows 8 -- so it won't be cross devices nor cross platforms.

Also, since you're going to build apps with Metro style, have you researched user's acceptance on Metro style UI? I have recently seen a growing negative feedback on Metro style (which is the reason why WP7 loses the competition to iOS/Android), but I won't be going deep on this matter here.

Let me know if you have other questions, thoughts, or concerns.

Best,
Jimmy

Thanks Jimmy, this is great news. I'm glad I will be able to continue to use these awesome tools.

I will be upgrading my applications to Silverlight 5 on day one J.

One note about WinRT, Microsoft is making a mistake not allowing Silverlight work on ARM and not allowing it to be part of the Metro desktop, from my understanding they will be calling Silverlight legacy, so by that account If I want to publish anything to their market I must use WinRT.  Silverlight won’t work on ARM nor will it be allowed in the market place.  I have no interesting in using the metro style for the GUI, but Metro Style meaning WinRT.

Thanks again,

Andre

I'm sorry...but everything i've seen about metro is for list based applications targeted for consumers.  Until i see a "real" metro application that is optimized for heavy data entry and reporting, PLEASE don't waste your time.  METRO = Consumer.  Silverlight 5 = LOB (including cross platform).  PLEASE focus on getting your controls to support Silverlight 5.  METRO may some day be a good option, but it will take years...and then it won't be cross platform.  My 2 cents.

Hi Andre,

Thanks for the prompt response.

IMO, we shouldn't be too worried about ARM since Microsoft has a long way to go to support the applications and code execution compatibility on ARM. Moreover, consumers will likely choose Wintel (Windows + Intel) for the peace of mind -- ensuring they get the best performance and reliability. If you read the news, Windows 8 in the ARM tablet was locked down in the glass box during the BUILD event, so it's not really usable at the time being. I'd say that it's too early to predict what's going on with Microsoft's ARM strategy -- whether or not they will support Silverlight in ARM remain to be seen.

Speaking of WinRT, remember that it's targeting Windows 8 desktop. So the apps you built won't run on browsers, nor will it run on Mac. It seems like Microsoft is focusing back on the good old day of desktop-based development -- very contradicting with the rest of industry leaders who focused on the other way around. IMHO, Silverlight will still be chosen as main LoB development platform due to its mature development and proven track of records.

Best,
Jimmy

I'm sorry...but everything i've seen about metro is for list based applications targeted for consumers.  Until i see a "real" metro application that is optimized for heavy data entry and reporting, PLEASE don't waste your time.  METRO = Consumer.  Silverlight 5 = LOB (including cross platform).  PLEASE focus on getting your controls to support Silverlight 5.  METRO may some day be a good option, but it will take years...and then it won't be cross platform.  My 2 cents.

Yup, agree. You've clearly see it right. The Metro will be entirely new development platform while Silverlight is untouched because both are targeting different market. Hopefully other developers can see it clear as well, and continue with today's development solutions.