MS hoping outright cash will get iPhone app ports

Microsoft is outright paying iPhone developers to port apps to Windows Phone 7, one account of the process claimed today. The unnamed programmer said he was offered immediate money to convert games. How much wasn't mentioned; it was "substantial" but not enough to lure over PocketGamer's source.

The practice isn't new for Microsoft, as it tried to pay for Zune HD ports last year. It didn't have much success as most of the small number of Zune apps have been made solely for Microsoft's MP3 player or else were ports of console or desktop apps, such as Audiosurf and Project Gotham Racing.

Microsoft's recruitment may show the company in a tough position as it tries to get early developers into the Windows Phone Marketplace. Many Windows Mobile apps are entirely incompatible with WP7 and themselves would need complete rewrites. Converting apps is difficult, however, as apps have to be ported from the iPhone's Objective C to C#, Silverlight and XNA. Microsoft's store policies also offer little incentive to cross over as they have the same 70/30 revenue split and app submission processes but now lack features Apple is just adding, such as multitasking.

By Electronista Staff