Microsoft tempts Windows developers with $100 cash for new apps

[techbeck]

Microsoft wants Windows 8 and Windows Phone developers to create apps for its platforms, and it's tempting them by offering up hard cash. In a new US marketing effort, Microsoft is offering developers $100 per app for newly published applications submitted to the Windows Phone Store or the Windows Store by June 30th. Developers can net $2,000 in total by submitting up to 10 apps to each store.

The terms and conditions are fairly straight forward. All apps must comply with the usual certification requirements, and developers must create applications for a purpose other than just launching a web page. Cloned variations from previously published apps are banned from the promotion, and the offer is limited to the first 10,000 qualified entries until June 30th. The promotion started earlier this month, but Microsoft has not yet been heavily promoting it.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/19/4124548/microsoft-paying-developers-cash-for-windows-apps

More in source.

[f0rk_b0mb]

It's pretty bad when you have to bribe your developers. :D

[techbeck]

It's pretty bad when you have to bribe your developers. :D

$100 is not much of a bribe.

[syobon999]

they have sweeten the pot

[theyarecomingforyou]

Would any credible developer really make an app for Windows 8 / WP8 to receive $100? The only developers to qualify for this are going to be a) those already developing an app, or b) those who wouldn't make money from selling an app anyway. As for Microsoft, obviously it's worth it to them as any decent app will net them way more than the $100 they're offering and would probably pay for all the failed apps they pay for.

[_dandy_]

As I've posted elsewhere, $100 won't buy anyone much of a professional developer's time, and the end result is that they're only going to get a sudden influx of crappy apps.

[George P Global Moderator]

As I've posted elsewhere, $100 won't buy anyone much of a professional developer's time, and the end result is that they're only going to get a sudden influx of crappy apps.

The $100 pays for your entry fee so from a developers point of view the risk is limited and that initial $100 cost for a year to publish apps to the store is now gone. It's worth it, and if the does in fact do well you'll be getting more back in the end. It's not like no one is making money.

[Growled Member]

You are being a little too obvious, Microsoft. :D

[FloatingFatMan]

I kinda feel sorry for Microsoft really. They dropped the ball big time in the mobile market, and now that damned ball just keeps on bouncing out of their hands, now matter how much they chase after it.