Microsoft provides wider access to local apps, games

CEBU, Philippines - The expansion of Microsoft’s Windows Phone Marketplace has provided a wider access to local and global top applications (apps) and games, it has made the Philippines one of the 28 new consumer markets where Windows Phone Marketplace is available.

These apps now are recently been made available to consumers in the Philippines, said Jerry Bongco, operator channels lead, Microsoft Philippines.

 “Microsoft constantly strives to bring the best experience to its customers, and by making the Windows Phone Marketplace available to Filipinos, we are enabling access to a wide range of apps for local consumers”, said Bongco,

The expansion of the Windows Phone Marketplace into the Philippines coincides with the launch of the formidable range of Nokia Lumia smartphones. Operating on the Windows Phone platform, the Nokia Lumia devices will open the door to new price points and customer segments in the already phone-savvy Philippine market.

“We are happy about the recent expansion of the Windows Phone Marketplace to include the Philippines. With the recent release of the Nokia Lumia devices, Filipinos will be able to choose and purchase a smartphone that is right for them, and load them with useful and fun apps at a very affordable cost,” said Rhomel Marcojos, Ecosystem and Developer Experience Manager, Nokia Philippines.

There are currently over 34,000 local and global apps available for download on Marketplace. If one is a new Windows Phone, he/she just simply activate the smartphone with a local Windows Live ID (Hotmail.ph) and download free apps or purchase paid apps from Marketplace with local credit card.

Among the thousands of apps available on Marketplace are the universally popular Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Foursquare and virtual storage app SkyDrive from Microsoft. Local apps are also available such as the useful MMDA for WP, ABS-CBN News for real-time updates on local news, weather app Storm Tracer, and other games and fun apps like XMT PhotoMagic.

The recent Marketplace expansion brings up the market total to 63 worldwide where Windows Phone apps can be downloaded, increasing the total addressable market for Windows Phones by 60 percent.

With the simultaneous production of new devices in major markets around the world in recent months, Microsoft continues to evolve the developer experience as well. Alongside the regular addition of developer markets is the improvement of the App Hub experience to make the submission process a little easier, Bongco added. — Ehda M. Dagooc

“Starting February, the App Hub opened submissions from developers in the new markets. While we don’t yet offer full App Hub developer support in every new market, local developers are still able to build and publish their apps to Marketplace through our Global Publisher Program,” explained Bongco adding that under the Global Publisher Program, a Global Publisher or a third-party company works with a developer as an intermediary in regions where the App Hub is not yet available.

As a result of efforts geared towards strengthening local developers, there has been a significant increase in the number of new apps published every day. Through the opportunities offered by the Windows Phone Marketplace, more local developers will have the chance to create exciting apps that would suit the Filipino consumers’ needs and taste. — (FREEMAN)