Microsoft has announced enhancements to its App Hub developer portal as part of the highly-anticipated Windows Phone 7 'Mango' release.
Windows Phone 7 developers can now publish their apps to consumers in 19 new countries, including SA. This will add to the 16 countries where Marketplace - Windows app store - is already supported.
Developer platform lead at Microsoft SA, Clifford de Wit, says all Windows Phone developers should submit Mango apps in August, ahead of the Mango release.
“The updated App Hub features enhancements such as greater geographic markets for developers, consumers and advertising coverage; new private distribution options; and enhanced application and account management capabilities,” says De Wit. “We're making great strides in expanding overall demand for Windows Phone applications.”
Microsoft is offering two new private distribution options, namely beta and targeted distribution. Apps distributed through these private distribution methods can only be downloaded by users using a deep-link, and the apps cannot be discovered via browsing or searching in Windows Phone Marketplace.
“Beta distribution enables developers to distribute pre-certified apps to a group of up to 100 access-controlled beta testers for up to 90 days,” says Microsoft.
“The targeted distribution enables developers to distribute applications through Marketplace in a hidden state, where they are not discoverable via browsing or searching Marketplace.”
De Wit says he has no doubt that local developers are in a position to create compelling mobile content for the Windows Phone platform: “We want to attract a new wave of Windows Phone developers ahead of the 'Mango' release.”
Other enhancements to the Mango App Hub include better application management, an enhanced developer dashboard, more detailed reporting, a new “Crash Count” report, a streamlined application submission process and new application categories - education, kids and family, and government and politics.
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