Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) introduced its Asha Premium Developer Program today following yesterday’s launching of DVLUP, a new web-based community and rewards program for Windows Phone apps developers.
Based on the article published by the company, the new Premium Developer Program for Asha will focus on touch developers, and aims to follow the success of the Premium Developer Program for Lumia; the program was introduced by the Nokia Corporation last year, which is considered as the most successful developer program ever launched by the company.
According to Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V), members of the Premium Developer Program for Asha will enjoy a number of helpful benefits that will help them create better apps and games for full touch Asha smartphones easier. Developers who were able to create high-quality apps will be provided with further benefits that will help improve the discoverability of their apps.
Kenn Mathers, director of developer programs and monetization of Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) said, “We want to reward apps that really engage the user. We’ll be looking for high-quality graphics and user interface, plus great user reviews with a minimum rating of four stars from at least 25 Nokia Store user reviews.”
The Finnish smartphone manufacturer emphasized that the Asha Premium Developer Program improves the opportunity for developers to succeed. The program offers two tiers of benefits with enhanced productivity tools and promotion opportunities for both new and experienced developers.
Enhanced productivity tools for Asha Developer Program include a free Nokia Asha 310 smartphone for development, expanded remote device access for test apps on a wide range of different Nokia Asha devices, and free tech tickets worth $198 for Asha development support.
In addition, Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) will also provide developers with app promotion opportunities such as the greater visibility on Nokia stores, credit worth $500 to run paid ad campaigns through the Nokia Ad Exchange (NAX) with access to more than 120 advertising networks worldwide. The company said developers will choose between app promotions or NAX credits in their application.
Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) offers free membership to qualified developers interested in joining Asha Premium Developer Program. In order to avail the free stage-one productivity membership, developers need to provide links to two existing apps they developed and published on any mobile platform.
Developers are also required to create and publish a new Java or web app for full touch Asha smartphones, and some pre-defined quality criteria to be able to access the stage-two app promotion tools.
