Windows Phone 8, Windows Tablet Apps: Bad News, Good News
Windows Phone 8 and Windows tablets are going to need big-time app support to compete with Apple iPhones, iPads and Google Android devices. But will developers rally around Microsoft’s forthcoming smartphone and tablet devices — especially as Apple iOS 6 launches this fall? The answer appears to be yes and now, according to new Appcelerator-IDC research.
Let’s start with the potential good news: Based on a May 2012 survey of 3,632 developers:
“33.3% of developers say that they are very interested in Windows 8 tablets. This is an important data point for Microsoft to leverage by translating its strength in the enterprise into the mobile OS space.”
Hmmm… not bad, considering Apple’s current iPad dominance and Google Android continuing to pop up on more and more tablets.
When Microsoft Surface tablets and third-party Windows 8/RT tablets debut this fall, perhaps they’ll have a fighting chance. That’s particularly true in the corporate market, where line of business applications for XP, Vista and Windows 7 will start to pop up in the Windows 8 world.
Among those writing apps for Windows 8 tablets and Windows Phone 8 is Level Platforms, an MSP software provider and mobile device management specialist.
Windows Phone 8 App Challenges
Now the potential bad news: Only 6 percent of developers say Windows 8 is best positioned to win in the enterprise over the long haul, compared to Apple iOS (53 percent) and Google Android (37%).
Still, there could be a small silver lining here…
- 84% of developers expect to launch an application on the Apple store
- 78% expect to launch one on Google Play (Google’s app store)
- 21% of developers expect, in the next year, to launch an application on Microsoft’s Windows Phone Marketplace application store
Appcelerator and IDC were surprised by the interest in Microsoft’s app store, considering 91% of developers surveyed had not yet launched an application on the Microsoft store, the researchers said.
Hmmm… Bottom line for Microsoft? Most developers remain plenty busy with Apple iOS and Android. Is three a crowd or can Windows Phone 8 muscle its way into the developer lab? The VAR Guy will keep on watching for more clues.
What I don’t understand is how people can be saying developers are not interested in making apps for Windows Phone 8. If what Microsoft says turns out to be true, once the app is on a tablet making it for the phone should be no issue, thus allowing for more apps to be made for the phone.
Keith: That’s a good point. But the app experience will surely vary from a tablet to a smart phone screen. It may share the same code base and “look” the same — but is that a good thing? Do you really want the same app layout, font sizes, etc., when jumping between a smart phone and tablet?
Example: Have you seen how lousy some of the iPhone apps look on iPad???
All that said, The VAR Guy still appreciates your comment and looks forward to more of your perspectives.
-TVG
I’m surprised at the amount of people quoting and repeating this Appcelerator and IDC report totally wrong.
The Appcelerator and IDC report never mentions anything about Windows Phone 8. The developers are taking about Windows Phone 7… Which most everyone knows by now the developers are not interested in creating apps because it will essentially be dead in a year or so. WP8 is rumored to be released in November this year.
I’m quoting from above:
Now the potential bad news: Only 6 percent of developers say Windows 8 is best positioned to win in the enterprise over the long haul, compared to Apple iOS (53 percent) and Google Android (37%)..
There is no bad news for WP8 because they are talking about WP7 phones lol….
please correct!
Who_r: The VAR Guy believes the survey participants were focused on the long-term direction of Windows Phone 7 (hence, Windows Phone 8…). Still, our resident blogger will keep your constructive criticism in mind as he plans future content.
-TVG