Microsoft is still directly funding app developers

Microsoft might already have over 80,000 applications in the Windows Phone Marketplace, but when the number grows past a couple of tens of thousands, what starts to matter is not quantity, but quality. And for some of the must-have apps that could make or break a Windows Phone handset, Microsoft is still directly funding developers.
The Cheezburger Network, known for its entertaining websites, was approached by Microsoft to bring its funny pictures of cats on Windows Phone. “They made it very easy for us. They took care of everything,” Cheezburger Network CEO Ben Huh said.
We are by no means satisfied with our catalog
McGee didn’t point out what’s the exact incentives Redmond offers, but it’s clear that unlike Apple and Google that don’t pay developers, Microsoft needs to give that extra push in order to see its WP platform lift off.
The simple principle of going after the most audience is logically at work here. But interestingly, developers are starting to slowly show interest in the Windows Phone platform. It’s been nearly a year and a half, and some dev firms report that a small number of companies approach them asking for apps on Microsoft’s platform. We’ll see how this works out, but having a third player in the mobile sphere should only benefit competition and what users get.
source: NY Times