WP7 hits 25k apps(supposedly), growing very nicely

[SAWYER]

Glad to see this, wp7 is awesome and will be even better when mango hits

It's not just Apple's App Store striding past milestones today, Microsoft's Windows Phone Marketplace has also rounded a notable marker in its development. Specifically, it's now reported to have passed 25,000 apps by one site tracking comings and goings within it, though that figure's up for debate as the other WP7 apps tracker still lists the total at just under 25k. The main point is that the WP7 ecosystem is growing, and faster than previously at that -- it took until the end of March to accrue 11,500 apps, a span of five months from its launch, whereas the last 13.5k have come in the brisker period of three months. Provided this acceleration continues, and there's no reason to expect it'll slow down with Mango on the horizon, Microsoft's mobile OS reboot promises to be in pretty competitive shape in time for its first anniversary -- a notable feat considering how far behind WinMo had fallen. Perhaps RIM can use this as an instructive example?

 

[Deeko]

Six of those apps are mine

I have noticed more and more stuff popping up in the "new" section lately, and really, the quality of the apps is very good. The UI on some of the big name apps really blows away the Android version I have on my Vibrant - for example, IMDb has always been really good, Foursquare's update yesterday is awesome, Engadget finally released their WP7 app and its also very good.

I'm interested to see what happens this fall. Mango adds a ton of stuff that was sorely missing from the SDK, so we should see a whole slew of new apps by the end of the year...just in time for the Nokia onslaught.

2012 will be interesting...

 

[SAWYER]

I dont care what any of the haters or fanbois say, WP7 is awesome. I can't believe how much of a departure and change it is from the old wm. It should be interesting to see what happens with the nokia partnership

 

[cronos]

I'm following WP7 closely myself. I don't care what anyone says. It's a solid platform with huge potential.

Especially now that they've shown that they're not shy to introduce a handset with a big screen instead of the standard tiny 3.5-4". I carry a Dell Streak now (5") and since the first day I got it last October, I know I won't settle with anything less than 4.5".

With Nokia's hardware coming, I can see myself carrying a WP7 device next year.

 

[pm]

Glad to see this, wp7 is awesome and will be even better when mango hits
No thread is safe from the gtz troll squad! They are always watching

I don't know what a gtz troll is, but as a moderator my tolerance for people trolling is much less than it used to be. If someone don't have anything constructive to say and are just causing trouble, I'll infract for thread crapping. People can criticize but it needs to be based on something tangible.

Moderator PM

 

[shortylickens]

I had one around about march 12th and I sure as shit dont think there were 11 thousand at that time. Unless 10 thousand of them were web only, not on the market.
And I'm pretty sure MS made them put all such apps on the market only, no 3rd party downloads.

 

[finbarqs]

Has the App Store passed up Palm's App Catalog yet? I'm sure it has, but with the combination of Homebrew apps, the app count is probably doubled at least!

I'm just waiting for a good Windows Phone 7 device to hit Sprint!

 

[SAWYER]

I don't know what a gtz troll is, but as a moderator my tolerance for people trolling is much less than it used to be. If someone don't have anything constructive to say and are just causing trouble, I'll infract for thread crapping. People can criticize but it needs to be based on something tangible.

Moderator PM

That line of text was a mistake(from another forum). I had that in my control c and forgot to edit it out when I posted the link to that image

 

[poofyhairguy]

This is great news. This is a really solid platform. I realized that when my sister (who is Apple EVERYTHING) tried to talk me into getting a WM7 phone once I declared I was done with iOS. If it caught her attention, it can go mainstream.

 

[trmiv]

I'd give it a shot if there was a Good Mobile Messaging app for it. Thats what we use for our corporate email, but Good hasn't produced a client for WP7 yet.

 

[airdata]

how many flashlight apps are there?

 

[SAWYER]

probably proportional to junk apps for android and ios markets

 

[finbarqs]

they need a softbox app....

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

probably proportional to junk apps for android and ios markets

The iOS market had more quality apps at 100k apps than Android does at 250k... Number means nothing unless you have good apps.

For example the Foursquare for Android app still isn't updated and FCs when you hit the Me tab. How useless.

 

[boomhower]

If the iPhone 5 doesn't make it to Sprint I may give it a shot. I am very happy with Android but like to change it up every now and again. I haven't been keeping up with the updates but how is multitasking coming along? Main thing I use is a music or podcast app in the background while browsing the net. I actually like microsoft products and prefer bing over google, though I know I am in the minority there.

 

[finbarqs]

If the iPhone 5 doesn't make it to Sprint I may give it a shot. I am very happy with Android but like to change it up every now and again. I haven't been keeping up with the updates but how is multitasking coming along? Main thing I use is a music or podcast app in the background while browsing the net. I actually like microsoft products and prefer bing over google, though I know I am in the minority there.

you mean if the iPhone 5 MAKES it to Sprint, you'll give it a shot...

 

[SAWYER]

I took it that if i5 doesnt come to Sprint he will try wp7

 

[Deeko]

If the iPhone 5 doesn't make it to Sprint I may give it a shot. I am very happy with Android but like to change it up every now and again. I haven't been keeping up with the updates but how is multitasking coming along? Main thing I use is a music or podcast app in the background while browsing the net. I actually like microsoft products and prefer bing over google, though I know I am in the minority there.

Mango (out this fall) supports a a few multitasking scenarios. There is fast app switching enabled by default, and devs have access to specific new stuff, like background audio, scheduled background tasks (much like Android's background services), stronger support for Live Tiles (similar to Android's widgets).

Its not full multitasking, but its way ahead of what they had in 7.0. The built in music app has had background tasks from the start, for what its worth, and Mango adds podcast support.

 

[zoiks]

I have to say that I finally saw someone using a WP7 phone for the first time. So apparently they do exist and the trend is catching on.

 

[Andrmgic]

I just recommended that someone check out a WP 7 device today.

Knowing that Mango is coming and has so many nice features.. it's much easier to recommend the platform to other people.

 

[cronos]

For example the Foursquare for Android app still isn't updated and FCs when you hit the Me tab. How useless.

This doesn't happen to me.

 

[EightySix Four]

Mango beta is phenomenal thus far

 

[boomhower]

you mean if the iPhone 5 MAKES it to Sprint, you'll give it a shot...

I said the same thing, just worded it differently. It might and it might now, who knows. Apple had a job opening around the beginning of the year for a carrier liasion in Kansas City(home of Sprint Headquaters) and have been rumored to installed Sprint towers on Apple's HQ, so I'd say it has a decent chance. On the other side Sprint's network is a convoluted mess with a horrible CS reputation that Apple may not want to be associated with.

Mango (out this fall) supports a a few multitasking scenarios. There is fast app switching enabled by default, and devs have access to specific new stuff, like background audio, scheduled background tasks (much like Android's background services), stronger support for Live Tiles (similar to Android's widgets).

Its not full multitasking, but its way ahead of what they had in 7.0. The built in music app has had background tasks from the start, for what its worth, and Mango adds podcast support.

I don't need full multitasking. Background music and more importantly podcasts is my main need. Downloads in the background, again mainly podcasts but also files off the net. I don't need Angry Birds, nineteen web pages, and a dozed other programs running in the background. Fast app switching with saved states will suffice.

 

[vshah]

For example the Foursquare for Android app still isn't updated and FCs when you hit the Me tab. How useless.

Never had that happen to me...

Mango is looking really good. The ease of making an app look good on WP7 vs. android or iphone is really stunning. The default visual style is just so much more appealing.

 

[TheStu]

iOS feels so weird anymore after having WinMoPho for 6 months now. I really love the tiles, and the overall feel of the OS. The fact that they have this clearly defined design language is a huge draw for me, and I like their typography and iconography better than iOS even. iOS has a huge supply of apps, which makes things rough, but at the end of the day I really prefer WinMoPho.

I also really prefer OS X over Windows (any version) before you get any ideas

Also, the zune player on the phone is amazing, I can't wait for them to expand it and add in Smart DJ with live streaming. That would make my day.