That’s true, but the commercials are not managed by Microsoft. They can manage to bridge the App gap, whether they pay for it or not is not relevant. It’s then up to MS to communicate to consumers that their loved apps are also available on their platform. This route is better than waiting for developers to start building and promoting apps for WP. If MS would not do this, then you are right it would be a Catch 22 situation. If MS pro-actively builds apps or pays developers an incentive, it is at least doing something (right).
The point is not what you see in commercials, the point is FIRST and foremost that the general public starts having a perception that the iOS/Android apps are also available on Windows Phone. It has a positive effect on reviews, sales and public perception. I as a simple consumer couldn’t care less who develops the apps I use.
The 2nd step is that once developers start sensing and believing in the increased popularity of the platform, they’ll commit.
The chathead argument is silly and typical of your writing as of late. You will Always have some features that are missing, or coming later with a platform that is playing catch-up.
It’s not the point. If you need an insight in developer incentives, go interview them. Talk to big names in the gaming business, compare App profits between iOS, Play or Windows Store… much more insightful articles. Not the amount of sold Windows 8 licenses. We get it: Windows 8 is off to a rocky start. Well then, tell us why, talk to OEMS. Show us your journalist skills instead of repeating the UI argument.
Journalism based on sales numbers is frankly no different than spreading gossip. Windows 8 sells in the millions, also more then OSX. That’s all you need to know. But the underlying thing is these articles like to compare Windows 8 against iPad sales numbers. And that’s frankly irritating.
Btw, Tom, if you have nothing to write about MS, then don’t. You can do some reviews about new Windows store apps, just like Verge does about new iOS apps all the time. Why not articles with prominent MS figures. There’s tons of themes to cover when it concerns MS, not just Windows 8 sales figures….
What IS this regular obsession with Windows 8 sales numbers? Just so some tech journo’s can shout ‘’Failure!"? Would be much more relevant to have regular articles about Microsoft’s vision/strategy going forwards.
