DevExpress announces the release of DXtreme Enterprise, its new tools suite for building apps for Windows 8, iOS and Android.
DevExpress, a maker of software development tools, has
announced the next release in its DXv2 generation of software development
tools, DXtreme Enterprise, a suite of tools for developers to create multiscreen
applications across platforms and devices, including Windows 8 devices.
The new DevExpress DXtreme toolset is available in limited
preview now and will be generally released to market on Dec. 3, 2012.
The DXtreme suite contains a set of Windows 8 and HTML5, CSS
and JavaScript tools targeted at developers building interactive Web
applications that push the boundaries of user experiences to a new level,
DevExpress officials said.
"The technology landscape has changed and developers are
faced with the unenviable task of creating unified digital experiences across
multiple platforms and multiple devices," said Julian Bucknall, CTO at
DevExpress, in a statement. "DXtreme tackles that challenge head on and helps
developers build the modern, multi-channel, touch-enabled applications for
Windows 8, iPad and iPhone and Android using their existing skills and
resources."
"I find a lot of vendors release 'cool tools,' but with
DXtreme there are immediate benefits to both the developer and consumer," Paul
Usher, founder and senior solutions architect at Usher.Net, told eWEEK. "We
write apps across multiple platforms already using native environments. DXtreme
is going to allow that to happen faster, concentrating on the user experience
not the tools we use. It's an exciting time to be a
developer."
With DXtreme, developers can create a single Visual Studio
solution with one code base that crosses platforms and devices without the need
for the iOS or Android software development kit (SDK), said Dave Mendlen, chief
marketing officer at DevExpress. With an integrated project, it is easy to
reuse content assets and application code across all target applications.
Meanwhile, built-in Visual Studio support enables developers to preview their
application while building it with visual designers for iPhone, iPad, Android,
Windows 8 and the Web.
Moreover, for developers who want to run touch-based
applications natively on all target devices, DXtreme offers support for Apache
Cordova-the technology behind PhoneGap. Developers also can submit their
applications to the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. And the toolset
enables developers to create apps in the platform they are most familiar with
and that feel to users as though they were designed expressly for the device.
"Our approach is to focus on the Visual Studio developer,"
Mendlen said. "There are other HTML5 and JavaScript tools out there, but none
really contemplate the Visual Studio dev and we've got that clearly in our
sights, including planned wizards and templates to help them take advantage of
all of the platforms. Additionally, we uniquely have a solution that spans
iPhone, iPad, Android as well as Windows 8."
DXtreme will also have built-in social media functionality,
including support for Facebook, which enables developers to focus on building
applications without having to worry about authentication and user management.
Getting data from the Web means accessing information from various types of Web
services and APIs like OData. DXtreme supports this and makes it easy to reach
across the Web and integrate information into all applications-just plug it in
and go.
"With DXtreme, multi-channel means building applications that
span devices and optimize the best parts of each platform using your current
skill set," said Ray Navasarkian, CEO at DevExpress, in a statement. "The
reality is we live in a world where end users demand a unified digital
experience across multiple devices and they expect to be delighted. With
DXtreme, developers can give them what they want and more."
DevExpress also announced the Extreme offer. Every customer
with an active product subscription on the day of the next product release
(version 12.2 on Dec. 3, 2012) will receive all or part of the new DXtreme
toolset at no cost.
"We are at the beginning of an exciting, revolutionary shift
in our industry," Mendlen said. "The Extreme offer allows us to support our
loyal customers by giving them a head start with the tools they need to create
stunning, modern applications while leveraging their existing skill set."
Darryl K. Taft covers the development tools and developer-related issues beat from his office in Baltimore. He has more than 10 years of experience in the business and is always looking for the next scoop. Taft is a member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and was named 'one of the most active middleware reporters in the world' by The Middleware Co. He also has his own card in the 'Who's Who in Enterprise Java' deck.
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