Microsoft encouraging employees to make Windows Phone 7 apps

No sooner had it been revealed Microsoft is planning on handing out a Windows Phone 7 handset to each of its employees, than the catch is revealed. 

That's according to an internal email that's leaked onto the net, with senior VP of mobile communications Andy Lees asking staff to work on apps for the OS in their spare time.

Willing on Windows

"I am thrilled to announce that a new Windows Phone 7 will be made available to every Microsoft employee as we launch in each market around the world," said email begins.

"With the help of the developer division, we just shipped the Final Beta of the Windows Phone Developer Tools. They absolutely rock, and you should download them now," Lees concludes.

In truth, it's less a move of desperation than some quarters of the press have portrayed it as, forming just one part of a lengthy email designed to present the OS to the company at large.

Nonetheless, it's further evidence of Microsoft's concern that the platform's marketplace might be a touch barren at launch.

Last month we discovered the giant was paying developers to port their iPhone games over to Windows Phone 7, the idea being to ensure the OS is flooded with familiar apps come debut.

[source: TechFlash]