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Windows Phone 8 Having Trouble Attracting Developers

colinneagle writes "Microsoft has promised that cross-platform development across the 8s – from Windows 8 on a desktop to Windows Phone 8 – will be a simple matter, but that's still not enough to get some developers moving on Windows Phone 8 support. The Windows Phone platform has made a remarkable recovery since its reset with version 7. Since then, WP7 has grown to 100,000 apps. But that pales in comparison to the 675,000 in Google Play and 700,000 in the Apple App Store. Granted, there's a ton of redundancy – how many weather or newsfeed apps does one person need? – but it points to availability and developer support. A report from VentureBeat points out what should be obvious: that while developers like Windows 8, they aren't as excited about Windows Phone 8 software because they have already made huge investments in other platforms and don't want to support another platform. A survey by IDC and Appcelerator found 78% of Android developers were 'very interested' in programming for Android smartphones, a slight drop from the 83% in a prior survey. Interest in the iPhone and iPad remained undiminished, with 89% and 88% interest, respectively."

5 of 268 comments (clear)

  1. I am writing a Slashdot app by Spy+Handler · · Score: 5, Funny

    for Windows 8, I am beta testing it now.

    Oh and Frist Post

  2. Re:Herp? by roc97007 · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's no surprise. Generally, companies sell "apps" to make money. As of August, Microsoft and other small fry mobile OS's combined represented a whopping 0.6% of mobile device OS's. What's more, that number has declined by almost 50% from a year ago. Why spend time and money developing for a platform that appears to be dying. Developers will probably wait to see if the current rev MS os can turn that trend around before spending more time and money on the platform.

    Source: Gartner

    Well, they're all looking at it wrong. When Windows 8 phones are released they're going to dominate the market. Developers would be wise to get on board early.

    ....nah, I don't believe it either.

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  3. Re:Windows Phone 8 hasn't been out for a whole DAY by m1ndcrash · · Score: 1, Funny

    They are scared. Better things are coming out then their precious iPhones.

  4. Re:Made $4 with WP7 by roc97007 · · Score: 3, Funny

    $$Profit!!$$

    --
    Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
  5. Re:Well, Yeah by ColdWetDog · · Score: 4, Funny

    Bob

    --
    Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!