Right now, people looking to develop mobile apps are drawn to the promises of streets lined with gold for the iTunes App Store, or else the unmitigated freedom of Android. So how’s Microsoft going to grab eager programmers to create the killer apps that its new mobile OS needs? They’re going to put their money where their mouth is.
That’s right, Microsoft is going to pay developers to work on the new platform. According to Senior Director Todd Brix, the company will not only pony up cold hard cash for development and marketing, but will also provide free tools and test handsets. They’re even willing to guarantee revenue, and will make up the difference if the apps don’t sell as well as they said. Said Brix:
“We are investing a lot to attract developers big and small to Windows Phone 7 to let them understand what the opportunity is and provide as many resources as we can to help them be successful on our platform. We’re open for business and we want to work with them.”
While there’s no indication of what it takes to get on this program, or the specifics of the offer, it’s still mighty tempting. Any developer readers going to try and take them up on it?
It sounds good at first, but then we must ask ourselves: Why are develops so reluctant to create any software for Microsoft’s Windows Phone 7? Why do they need to be paid before they’ll look at that platform?