Microsoft’s ambition with Windows 10 is to have the operating system running on 1 billion devices within 2 to 3 years. This will include PCs, mobile phones, tablets, and IoT devices. Beyond desiring to maintain its status as the world’s largest PC OS, this rather ambitious goal is also to attract and encourage developers to program for Windows devices, namely mobile. Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, has confirmed on numerous occasions that mobile is an important part of Microsoft’s strategy and we continue to see that with the direction he is leading the company, especially when it comes to how Microsoft treats developers.
It cannot be said that Microsoft is not trying to cater to programmers. With programs like Connect which offers free training sessions for cross platform app development, and IDEs like Visual Studio that provides almost every tool needed for development, Microsoft is trying to make coding for Windows as simple and easy as possible. Going a step further, programs like Visual Studio allows developers to create one program that will work on all Windows devices, opposed to having to write code for multiple apps. However, simplifying coding isn’t enough; Microsoft wants to show developers their hard work won’t go unnoticed.
In a post by Microsoft’s Bernardo Zamora, we are given insight into how Windows 10 helps developers do this. Developers have access to Microsoft Advertising SDK which helps them promote their applications and other apps they have already published in the Microsoft store. This SDK has now been updated to support more than 51 new markets and more languages, further expanding the reach of developers.
Additionally, Microsoft has added the ability to map app downloads, estimate the potential reach of one’s app, and even generate recommended settings for campaign targeting. With this, developers have the ability to choose where ad campaigns will target. They can choose to target phones only, PCs and tablets, specific Windows operating systems (Windows 8.x or Windows 10), or all of the above.
With these features, developers have greater potential for reaching their targeted populations and having their apps downloaded. Certainty the more developers Windows is able to attract to their OS, the better chance Windows 10, especially Windows 10 Mobile, has to succeed.
Do you think these developer features will attract more programmers to the platform? Let us know in the comments below.
Windows Store developers: Microsoft adds new options to promote your app – OnMSFT.com
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