Microsoft Canada tries tactic to spur app

Microsoft Canada has taken an unusual approach to spur Windows Phone development through an initiative called the Developer Movement. Those who publish at least one "quality" app to the Marketplace get prize bundles that scale the more they post. Publishing one or two lets app writers pick from prizes such as a free Kinect, Microsoft Points, or a 1TB external hard drive, while those who publish three or more may get publicity in the official Xbox and MSDN newsletters.

The exact definitions of "quality" aren't clear, but it's implied that original, polished content is the primary goal.

Developers have until May 20 to get their apps on the Marketplace. It's not known if or when American developers might get the same expansion.

Microsoft's strategy continues one it has followed for much of 2010 and 2011 of offering direct financial incentives to write Windows Phone apps. Word emerged that it was paying for iPhone app ports in June last year. Details were later confirmed that included it paying minimum revenue guarantees and otherwise helping ease the cost and knowledge concerns.

The company is in less need of developers now than it was in 2010, having just reached 50,000 apps at a relatively quick pace. With just a tenth of the apps that Apple's iOS App Store has, though, it's still regularly the case that major titles either get belated ports or never arrive at all, reducing the motivation for customers to try the platform. [via SlashGear]

By Electronista Staff