Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is apparently still having trouble winning app developers over to its Windows Phone platform. That’s according to a report from Adam Satariano and Douglas MacMillian of Bloomberg.
App developers say they can’t make money on Windows Phone
They report that developers from app maker Chaotic Moon, smartphone game maker King.com, and music app maker Smule are still avoiding making apps for Microsoft’s mobile platform. They said even the closer connection between Microsoft and Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) hasn’t convinced them that it’s worth the time and effort to make apps for Windows Phone.
The developers don’t even think the platform will have enough users after Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s $7.2 billion acquisition of Nokia’s devices division to make it worth their time to make apps for it.
They said Microsoft must demonstrate that it has enough of the market before they will begin making apps for Windows Phone. Most app developers are taking a wait and see approach before diving in to making Windows Phone apps. They said it’s all about where they are able to make money, and at this point, it isn’t on Microsoft’s mobile platform.
According to Chaotic Moon co-founder William Hurley, their newest game Dragon Academy brought in more sales on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s devices in a single hour than all of their global releases for Windows Phone over the last year. Needless to say, they decided not to develop their new app for Windows Phone.
Microsoft stuck in a vicious cycle
But the longer app developers put off making apps for Windows Phone, the more problematic Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)’s attempts to gain market share become. Windows Phone has over 175,000 apps, but iOS has more than 900,000 apps, while Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Android has more than a million of them. Often any apps which do make it to Windows Phone come out later than they do on iOS and Android.
Some smartphone users may avoid switching to Windows Phone simply because the operating system doesn’t have their favorite apps. Executives at Microsoft believe buying Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V)’s devices division will help in their fight against the two big mobile platforms. They say by owning the division, they can speed up the creation of new Windows Phone handsets and market them more cohesively. They also say that Nokia’s sales team will be able to teach more people about the platform, especially those who work at retail stores where Windows Phones are sold.
Microsoft assists developers
Meanwhie Microsoft Corporaiton (NASDAQ:MSFT) keeps chugging away in an attempt to attract developers to Windows Phone. The company pays for development and marketing of the most popular apps. For example, Microsoft built Pandora Media Inc (NYSE:P)’s music streaming app for Windows Phone.
The company said it would start offering even more promotions for app developers after the Nokia device acquisition. One of the possibilities will be having some apps already installed on phones when consumers purchase them.
