Microsoft Offers $100 Bounty on New Apps

With Microsoft bringing out quite a bit lately in the way of new operating systems, like Windows 8 and Windows Phone, the realization has likely followed that, in order for them to be of much use, there need to be apps to run on these operating systems.

To that end, Microsoft is offering a direct cash incentive for developers at $100 per app, geared toward populating the environment and stimulating interest.

Naturally, there are terms and conditions to be met when going after this incentive. Developers can net fully $2,000 total by sending up to 10 different apps to each app store – specifically, the Windows 8 app store and the Windows Phone app store.

The apps in question must meet the standard array of certification requirements, and they can't just be apps to launch a webpage. Those who have already published apps won't be able to clone and resubmit them to get them in on the action, and the offer is limited to the first 10,000 such apps received before the deadline of June 30.

While Microsoft is touting some impressive numbers so far – including 60 million licenses sold so far, along with 100 million apps downloaded – that doesn't always mean good things in terms of overall app numbers and the accompanying figures.

The move to offer cash incentives, meanwhile, is one that's proving somewhat divisive in the big picture.

It's clear that Microsoft is the newcomer here, taking on two established titans in iOS and Android, as well as a third party that represents the "former titan" category in BlackBerry. Microsoft has to get itself into at least the third place slot to really be considered much of a competitor, and that means kicking BlackBerry out.

Given that BlackBerry was recently seen offering its own line of cash incentives, among other kinds, there's something to be said for the process.

However, there's been some concern seen, mainly from those who have since left Microsoft like Charlie Kindel and Steven Sinofsky – both of whom have been reportedly seen in opposition to such a move – with Kindel calling the move to pay for apps a sign that "...Windows is in even more trouble than most of us already believe."

It bears noticing, however, that Windows 8 has only been available for a few months. Trying to add a bit of grist for the mill is hardly out of line, especially given that there are so many Windows properties to develop for as it is. Windows 7 is still a major part of the environment, and there are even plenty of users who wish Microsoft had never left Windows XP.

Plain and simple, Microsoft needs apps. It needs quantity just as much as it needs quality; sure, quality is important, but having a wide variety of apps helps ensure that someone will find what they need somewhere in the mix. Maybe not everyone needs a certain kind of app, but few programs are developed without an eye on the target market. The more different target market segments that Microsoft can appeal to overall, the more likely it is to wrest users away from established brands, as well as bring users forward into the new Windows environment.

Microsoft came late to the mobile party, and in desktops, needs to give users reason to switch from current favorites. It badly needs to be introduced, and maybe cut in on a dance or two, metaphorically speaking. Otherwise it's going to have a bad time indeed.