Xamarin.Forms History Timeline and Biographies

2014

Launch of Xamarin.Forms

Xamarin.Forms was officially launched, providing developers with a new way to build cross-platform mobile applications using a shared codebase in C#. This marked a significant step towards simplifying mobile app development across iOS, Android, and Windows platforms.

2015

Introduction of Xamarin.Forms 1.2

The first major update to Xamarin.Forms introduced new features such as the ability to create custom renderers and improved support for navigation and data binding, making it easier for developers to create complex mobile applications.

2016

Release of Xamarin.Forms 2.0

Xamarin.Forms 2.0 was released, bringing significant enhancements including improved performance, new controls, and better integration with Visual Studio, allowing for a more streamlined development experience.

2017

Xamarin.Forms 2.5 and the introduction of Shell

Xamarin.Forms 2.5 was launched, introducing the Shell feature, which simplified application structure and navigation, making it easier for developers to manage their apps' user interfaces and experiences.

2018

Xamarin.Forms 3.0 and the introduction of new controls

The release of Xamarin.Forms 3.0 included new controls such as the CollectionView and the Frame, enhancing the toolkit's capabilities for building modern mobile applications. It also introduced significant performance improvements and new features for developers.

2019

Xamarin.Forms 4.0 and .NET Standard support

Xamarin.Forms 4.0 was released, fully supporting .NET Standard 2.0, which allowed developers to share code across all .NET platforms. This version also introduced new layout options and enhancements to existing controls.

2020

Introduction of Xamarin.Forms 4.5 and Hot Reload feature

Xamarin.Forms 4.5 introduced the Hot Reload feature, allowing developers to see changes in real-time without restarting the application. This significantly improved the development workflow and productivity for Xamarin.Forms developers.

2021

Xamarin.Forms 5.0 and .NET MAUI announcement

Xamarin.Forms 5.0 was released, bringing enhanced performance and new features. Additionally, Microsoft announced .NET Multi-platform App UI (MAUI), which would evolve Xamarin.Forms into a more robust framework for cross-platform development.

2022

Transition to .NET MAUI and deprecation of Xamarin.Forms

With the release of .NET MAUI, Xamarin.Forms began its transition to the new framework. Microsoft announced that Xamarin.Forms would be deprecated in favor of .NET MAUI, which aimed to provide a more unified and powerful development experience.

2023

Final updates and support for Xamarin.Forms

In 2023, Microsoft continued to provide support and updates for Xamarin.Forms while encouraging developers to migrate to .NET MAUI. The Xamarin.Forms community remained active, sharing resources and tools to aid in the transition.

2024

End of life for Xamarin.Forms

Microsoft officially announced the end of life for Xamarin.Forms, marking the conclusion of its development. Developers were encouraged to fully transition to .NET MAUI, which offers improved features and capabilities for cross-platform mobile app development.

2024

Legacy of Xamarin.Forms in the development community

Despite the transition to .NET MAUI, Xamarin.Forms left a lasting legacy in the development community, having empowered countless developers to create cross-platform applications efficiently. Its principles and innovations continue to influence modern mobile app development practices.