--> Developers unconvinced by Nokia/Microsoft deal says Bloomberg !

Bloomberg has surveys a small group of developers about their support for Windows Phone, and found that their enthusiasm remained rather tepid. One of the
dozen developers interviewed said: “With or without Nokia, Microsoft needs to demonstrate that they can capture a material segment of the mobile market. We will wait and see.”

Another developer complained their game made more in an hour on iOS than a year in the Windows Phone Store. “What basket would you put your eggs?” said William Hurley, a co-founder of Chaotic Moon, adding that Chaotic Moon chose not to make their follow-up “Dragon Academy” for Windows Phone.

Developers complained that there were too many differences between Windows Phone and Windows tablets to create apps for boh. Right now, the cost of developing for both isn’t worth it, said Jeff Smith from music-application maker Smule.

Making it easier to create applications that work across Microsoft’s smartphones and tablets will help developers, said Smith. If rumours are to believed Microsoft is doing just that, but Joe Belfiore said their merger with Nokia’s handset division will do more.

Joe Belfiore said owning Nokia will speed creation of handsets with its software and result in a more cohesive marketing strategy. He said that the takeover will also let Microsoft utilize Nokia’s sales team to educate more people about Windows Phone, especially the staff at retail outlets where people buy their devices.

“If you’re not paying attention as a retail sales person, a customer walks into your store and asks about phones, you’re going to make your assumption about where Windows Phone is at based on the last time you paid close attention,” Belfiore said.

Belfiore said Microsoft will do more promotions for developers once it owns Nokia, including having apps pre-installed on phones.

Maybe there is hope. John Arrow, chairman of Mutual Mobile Inc., which makes apps for companies including Citigroup Inc. said Microsoft combined with Nokia “does not alter our thinking” in the short term, he said. “In the long term, this investment represents some unique opportunities.”

Source: wmpoweruser.com