Developers who have been wondering about Windows Phone 7 (or who have already embraced it and are interested in its well-being) can now learn more about how it’s been received. Microsoft published some official statistics late yesterday, and they put the mobile operating system off to a good start. The first data point Microsoft chose
A suggestion for developers who have close ties to Windows Phone 7: take a deep breath. A significant change is occurring that could see you facing stiff competition and/or enjoying the attention of a larger user base. Anne Eisenberg reported over the weekend, “Microsoft has taken an unusual step. It has relaxed a strict rule
Earlier today, Microsoft and Nokia announced a partnership, and considering that the companies’ combined market cap is around $263 billion (even after Nokia’s shares fell 15 percent), it’s fair to say a lot’s going to change. Fortunately, developers haven’t been forgotten in all the excitement, with Microsoft making sure to spell out the ramifications. Matt
As the first Windows Phone 7 models hit stores during the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2010, the Android smartphone operating system (OS) significantly increased its market-share lead by 9 percentage points, since the prior quarter, to reach 53 percent of the U.S. smartphone market, according to a new report from The NPD Group. Apple iOS
If there’s one thing most people don’t mind, it’s receiving money, and thanks to a move on Microsoft’s part, Windows Phone 7 developers should be able to do that sooner than planned. Microsoft’s moved up the dates for its first app- and game-related payouts. Todd Brix explained on the Windows Phone Developer Blog late last
Microsoft said today it is allowing developers to release applications for Windows Phone 7 in Visual Basic. Microsoft said the initial release of the Visual Basic add-on for the Windows Phone Developer Tools requires Visual Studio 2010 Professional or higher; Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone is not supported. This release is only for
The Windows Phone 7 rollout is around the corner, or even, depending on your point of view, already underway. And Microsoft’s provided a bit of a roadmap for anyone who’s curious about how the process will continue from here. Today marks one important moment. On the Windows Phone Developer Blog, Todd Brix wrote, “All registered
Microsoft has released its Mobile Advertising SDK for Windows Phone 7 and Microsoft Advertising Exchange for Mobile. Windows Phone 7 app developers will have access to real-time Mobile Ad Exchange. Microsoft offers more details in its advertising blog. “Specific capabilities of our Microsoft Advertising SDK for Windows Phone 7 include Demographic, Category, Carrier and Location targeting;
Well, here’s one possible reason why Microsoft’s been bribing developers to port apps to its mobile operating system. Following a Windows Phone 7 demonstration put on by the company, one reporter wrote an article and characterized the whole thing as a “disaster” right in the title. Galen Gruman spent three pages going over the system’s
Analysts and onlookers agree that Microsoft’s forthcoming Kin smartphones may be hugely popular, giving the company a boost in the mobile market. Unfortunately, it looks as if these devices have been made about as developer-unfriendly as possible. Charles Golvin, who’s an analyst at research firm Forrester, noted in a blog post yesterday, “KIN is not
