Userware has taken a major step forward in extending the capabilities of OpenSilver, its open-source UI framework for .NET, by enabling compatibility with mobile platforms. With the latest OpenSilver 3.2 update, developers can now create WPF-compatible applications that seamlessly run on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, and the web.

A New Era for OpenSilver

Initially designed as a modern substitute for Microsoft Silverlight, OpenSilver allowed developers to build browser-based applications without the need for proprietary plugins, similar to the shift away from Adobe Flash. Now, with the integration of .NET MAUI Hybrid, OpenSilver moves beyond browser-based applications, providing a unified development experience for both web and mobile platforms.

Key Advancements in OpenSilver 3.2

Released on March 18, OpenSilver 3.2 leverages .NET MAUI Hybrid to offer a consistent UI experience across multiple platforms. This technology utilizes WebView to render the UI while ensuring C# business logic is compiled natively for each target system. By maintaining a single XAML/C# codebase, developers can streamline their workflow, reducing the need for extensive platform-specific modifications.

Enhanced Development Experience

To illustrate the cross-platform functionality, OpenSilver 3.2 introduces two new sample applications that showcase native API interactions and multi-platform deployment. Additionally, Userware has reinforced OpenSilver’s integration with popular development tools by providing extensions for both Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code, available through their respective marketplaces. This follows the December 2024 release of OpenSilver 3.1, which introduced a XAML designer for VS Code.

Improved Touch and UI Functionality

Beyond expanding platform support, OpenSilver 3.2 enhances user interaction, particularly on touch-enabled devices. New scrolling improvements include panning support, scroll inertia, and adjustable scrolling speeds for ItemsControl elements. Other notable features include an event manager, layout mirroring for bidirectional text, and expanded animation capabilities, such as multiple targets for Storyboards and the ability to animate UIElements without requiring a Storyboard.

Moving Forward

With these advancements, OpenSilver continues to evolve as a robust alternative for building modern applications that can run across browsers and native platforms. Developers seeking to explore OpenSilver 3.2 can download the latest version from the official project website and start building truly cross-platform applications with a single codebase.