Windows Phone 8 customers are now downloading more than 200 million apps per month, and daily app revenue has more than doubled. Microsoft also announced on Wednesday that shipments of Windows Phone grew six times faster than the rest of the smartphone market over the past year. With this kind of momentum, you’re probably thinking, “how do I get a piece of that pie?” Good news: The Windows Phone Developer team announced the “$19 Summer Break” offer – a steep discount on the usual developer registration fee. If you’ve been thinking about joining the Windows App Developer program, go do it now.
What? You’re still here? The Windows Phone Developer Blog points to evidence that this momentum will continue, citing that more than half of the U.S. Windows Phone buyers are upgrading from feature phones. Given there are currently 4 billion feature phone users worldwide, the opportunity is clear.
And Microsoft isn’t simply leaving this to consumers. In his post, Windows Phone Apps Store GM Todd Brix shares new and upcoming programs that will help further monetize developers’ apps, including the recent launch of Red Stripe Deals, a weekly program that offers customers the opportunity to buy one app, one indie game, and one Xbox game each week at a savings of at least 50%. This has resulted in an average four times jump in net revenue for developers featured. We also announced that Microsoft Gift Cards will arrive this fall.
For all the details, head to the Windows Phone Developer Blog. Then get registered and start developing!
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Deborah Pisano
Microsoft News Center Staff