If the Mono project can gain enough support, it could be releasing a new framework and compiler that will allow .net developers to write iPhone applications in C# using Apple's native code library and SDK.

The Mono project is an open source initiative sponsored by Novell to create a Microsoft .net development platform for UNIX. This will allow developers to distribute .net applications and web projects on more operating systems than just Windows and more development tools than Visual Studio.

Their new library for the iPhone, called MonoTouch, gets around Apple's restriction on just-in-time compliation languages by creating a compiler that will turn .net assemblies into native code for the iPhone. This could open a entire new world for .net developers whose mobile phone development has been limited to mostly Windows Mobile.

Currently, MonoTouch is only in beta and only available for development on MacOS X using XCode or Mono's own MonoDevelop IDE. But with your support, Mono can add more features and stability. If you are a developer interested in writing iPhone application using the .net framework, please fill out their survey and let them know:

SIGN THE SURVEY