Xamarin's XobotOS opens prospect of Android port to C#, can of worms

[![Xamarin-XobotOS-ports-Android-to-C-Sharp][1] ][2]

Would it be ironic if Android developers did an end-run around [Microsoft patents][3] by using Microsoft's own C#? Or if Google kiboshed its Oracle [brouhaha][4] with the aid of none other than Redmond? We're asking because Xamarin, the wacky open source implementer of .NET, has ported Android to Microsoft's C# with its XobotOS project. Although just an experiment and unlikely to solve Google's [issues][4], the team showed that running the robot on C# instead of Java gave fewer coding limitations, better battery life and direct graphics access. Additionally, Xamarin reports "massive" speed gains on its HTC Flyer and Acer Iconia when running the side-project port -- no surprise given C#'s machine heritage. Sure, it's pure speculation that Mountain View and its developers would ever change their Java MO, but a little patent relief and faster Android devices in one kill shot? That's a sweet idea.

[Xamarin's XobotOS opens prospect of Android port to C#, can of worms][2] originally appeared on [Engadget][5] on Fri, 04 May 2012 16:16:00 EDT. Please see our [terms for use of feeds][6].

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