While Pocket Gamer has been party to the generally positive reaction to Microsoft's alliance with Nokia from developers already working on Windows Phone, according to Flurry, interest from studios across the board has surged following its announcement.
The latest numbers from the analytics firm claim there's been a 66 percent increase in project starts by developers on Windows Phone 7 of late.
History repeating
While that increase is relative to the somewhat smaller base Windows Phone 7 had amassed in the first place, in a blog post Flurry's Peter Farago notes that the boost Nokia has given WP7 means it's now following a path laid down by the likes of Android before it.
"When Flurry launched its support for Android in October 2008, there was doubt in the industry around the viability of Android as a development platform," he notes.
"Back then, the sentiment was that Android would capture market share as a mobile operating system, but not necessarily as an application development platform or an ecosystem where developers could thrive. 180,000 apps later, Android answered its critics."
Three horse race
Indeed, it's the very similarities between support for Android during its early days and the kind Microsoft is currently fostering for Windows Phone 7 that should have Google worried.
Farago adds that, prior to the Nokia deal, "many questioned the viability of Windows Phone 7 as an operating system that developers would support" in the same way they previously had Android.
"From Flurry's point of view, this weeks spike in Windows Phone 7 developer activity shows that developers not only believe Nokia has given Microsoft Windows Phone7 a shot in the arm, but also that Nokia and Microsoft together can build a viable ecosystem," he concludes.
As a result of the platform bedding down and, no doubt, thanks in no small part to its focus on games Flurry reports Windows Phone 7 is now generating more interest from developers than BlackBerry.
There's certainly a long way to go before this renewed interest transforms Windows Phone Marketplace into as vibrant an outlet as the App Store, but if Flurry's figures are anything to go by, the Nokia deal has given Windows Phone 7 the kick-start it was looking for.
[source: Flurry]
Data & Research
With a fine eye for detail, Keith Andrew is fuelled by strong coffee, Kylie Minogue and the shapely curve of a san serif font.
Top Stories
News
6 hours, 21 minutes ago
Week in Views - Apple back themselves bigstyle, Clash bags Haaland and dreams come true at King
News
9 hours, 12 minutes ago
Mobile Movers: All the latest appointments and job moves from around the industry
News
9 hours, 57 minutes ago
Squad Busters has 20 million pre registrations with 30 million in its sights
News
10 hours, 19 minutes ago
Carry1st's African Cup to feature Call of Duty: Mobile tournament with $15,000 prize pool
News
6 hours, 21 minutes ago
Week in Views - Apple back themselves bigstyle, Clash bags Haaland and dreams come true at King
Feature
8 hours, 33 minutes ago
Apple and Nintendo's Delta blues: A legal timebomb or just the new normal?
News
9 hours, 12 minutes ago
Mobile Movers: All the latest appointments and job moves from around the industry
Events
GameDev Atlantic 2024 | May 4th | |
LA Games Conference 2024 | North America | May 6th |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Valencia Indie Summit 2024 | Europe | May 16th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
WN Conference Istanbul 2024 | Jun 11th | |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |