Helping Android developers build Windows Store apps
For those of you who are currently developing on Android, we have a lot of resources to help you bring your Google Play app to the Windows Store.
On the Windows Dev Center, we have a whole section of Resources for Android developers. You’ll find everything you need to get started building for Windows, including an API mapping tool that shows the Windows Runtime equivalents of common Android APIs.
Jennifer Marsman has also written up a great series of posts on her blog. The Windows Store opportunity for Android developers shows how you can make more money and expand your app’s reach by bringing it to another platform. She also covers some of the Windows 8 features that allow your app to shine in new ways, like Live Tiles and the ability to use roaming data. Jennifer has also provided her top 10 tips for passing Windows Store certification, specifically aimed at developers who are familiar with Android development. Finally, check out her detailed look at the Windows Store and Google Play. This comparison makes it easy to understand how each store handles things like revenue structures, pricing, business models, global availability, the certification process, and getting metrics on how your app is doing.
It’s a great time to get started porting your Android app and publish it in the Windows Store. Check out Apptivate 2.0, a Stack Overflow promotion sponsored by Microsoft. Sign up for App Builder and select the “Port Your Existing App” track for customized resources. Then develop the Windows 8 version of your app for an opportunity at the Grand Prize: a trip to Microsoft's sold-out Build Conference in San Francisco, June 26-28. Runners up will win a Surface Pro, or a one-year subscription for Microsoft Office 365. Visit https://apptivate.ms for official rules and details, and do it soon—to enter, your app needs to be accepted and listed in the Windows Store by June 7.
We hope these resources will help you reimagine your Android app and bring it to the Windows Store!