Microsoft’s Windows Phone platform may be in third place behind iOS and Android in the smartphone arena, but there is no denying that Windows Phone has indeed grown over the past year. With new “key” apps being added to the platform – such as Vine and Instagram, it comes as no surprise that Windows Phone has exceeded the 200,000 app mark in the Windows Phone Store.
“The current holiday shopping season and all the great promotions are just underway, and we’re already seeing momentum build with the Store surpassing 12 million transactions per day and Windows Phone Store surpassing 200,000 apps. The best news is that we’re just getting started. In the new calendar year we’ll introduce creative new approaches to help you reach users in your app developing,” Microsoft stated in an official blog post.
To put this in perspective, Microsoft revealed back in June of 2012 that the Windows Phone Store had reached the 100,000 app mark. Surprisingly, Microsoft isn’t touting this 200,000 milestone as one would expect. When did the Store hit the milestone? Why hasn’t Microsoft bragged about it? As the guys over at Neowin spotted today, this figure was buried in a blog post tailored to developers urging them to publish their apps immediately in time for this holiday season.
Well, Microsoft, we’ll tout this number for you. Congrats on the 200,000 app milestone.
“Microsoft is also reassuring developers that more good things are coming in 2014.”
Microsoft is also reassuring developers that more good things are coming in 2014. “In the new calendar year we’ll introduce creative new approaches to help you reach users in your app developing. Stay tuned.”
If you are an app developer and wish to get your app published in time for the holidays, Microsoft has a suggestion for you. “..we recommend that you submit apps by Monday, December 16, for publishing by Christmas and Friday, December 20, for publishing by New Year’s. These dates take into account our standard, stated turnaround time, and also leave you a bit of room for any changes you might need to make based on feedback you receive during certification.”
Are you impressed by the 200,000 app milestone? What apps are you still waiting for?