Today Microsoft announce that Windows Store is now open for app submissions from all developers and added 82 more app submission markets. In total, developers from 120 markets can publish apps on Windows Store, and that includes Indonesia.
Norman Sasono, Developer & Platform Evangelism from Microsoft Indonesia is very happy to support Indonesian developers, “the benefit for the Developers are off course because Windows is now still the most used OS in this planet, hence, give the single largest potential market for the apps” he said.
Just like most analyst predicts, Sasono believes that Windows 8, Microsoft’s latest OS, will dominate the global market once again. “There is still a big opportunity for Indonesia developers to step up and become the top apps maker globally, cos in other platforms the landscape is too crowded already” Sasono added.
In Windows Store, Developers will keep 70% of their paid apps, and that portion grows to 80% when the app reaches 25,000 downloads. Microsoft also provide Commerce Engine platform that enables developer to build In-App transaction feature. Microsoft also provides their own advertising engine although they give the freedom for developers to use other ad services inside their apps.
An interesting move by Microsoft to lure developers into their platform, they decided to give away 1-year developer account for free. Usually, individual developers would need to pay IDR 500,000 (US$55) for the annual registration fee and IDR 1,000,000($110) for corporate developer account. Startups and students will also get free benefits from Microsoft’s own Bizspark and Dreamspark program.
