Microsoft opens doors to PHL app developers for Windows 8

Microsoft is opening the door to developers from the Philippines to send in their apps for its upcoming mobile phone operating system, Windows Phone 8.

 

The Philippines is one of 180 countries that can access Microsoft's App Hub —where developers can submit their apps— and Marketplace app store.

 

"(W)e’re putting the finishing touches on the next versions of Marketplace and App Hub, both of which have been totally rebuilt from the ground up to be more robust and scalable. You can look forward to faster certification and publishing times, better reporting options, and more," Windows Phone Marketplace executive Todd Brix said in a blog post.

 

A list of countries where the App Hub and Marketplace will be available showed that in the Philippines' case, App Hub is a new feature for Windows Phone 8, while Marketplace is already "available today."

 

Brix said that with Windows Phone 8, Microsoft is "dramatically expanding" its footprint around the globe.

 

With it, he said consumers will be able to browse and download apps in more than 180 countries at launch, roughly three times the 63 markets served today.

 

"Developers, meanwhile, will be able to submit apps to those same markets via App Hub, up from 38 markets," he noted.

 

Brix pointed out that for developers, Windows Phone 8 will bring in-app purchase capability, providing an important new way to profit from their apps.

 

"In addition to what you earn from advertising or app sales, you can also now sell virtual goods and services within the app," he added.

 

Brix also said App Hub will provide tools for managing in-app commerce.

 

He said developers can specify what they want to sell, choose prices and countries to make it available, and use App Hub reporting tools to generate detailed sales reports.

 

"As I’m sure you know, this is an opportunity that’s really only limited by your creativity. In-app purchasing not only provides a supplemental revenue stream but helps extend the shelf life of the app—because you can keep adding new items to keep your customers interested," he said.

 

Enterprise features

 

Brix said another new revenue-generating opportunity comes from the new enterprise features in Windows Phone 8.

 

He noted many companies are increasingly relying on employee-targeted apps for things like filing expense reports and booking travel.

 

"In Windows Phone 8, we’ve built a new home for custom enterprise apps called the Company Hub, opening a new market for developers who specialize in building and licensing these line-of-business apps. IT departments, meanwhile, have options for deploying, managing, and revoking these apps," he said.

 

He added Company Hub has the same "clean" Metro look and design, so businesses and their employees should find it as easy to use as the rest of the phone. — TJD, GMA News