With smart phones gaining an edge over feature phones, mobile apps are the next big thing. Gartner forecasts for 2011 by peg revenues from mobile apps at $15 billion. Furthermore, these revenues, which include advertising, app sales, in-app purchases and app subscriptions, are expected to reach a whopping $58 billion by 2014. The revenues are not solely from Apple apps but include others such as Android, BlackBerry and the newest entrant, Windows Mobile. Their recent tie ups with Nokia are a shot in the arm and can tilt the equations in months to come.

Although IDC predictions state that Windows Mobile will still be at the bottom of the pile in 2014, an important point to note is that its market share will continue to grow while that of others such as Blackberry, iPhone and Symbian will see a decline. These growth-figures along with the recent App hub announcement by Microsoft and the upcoming launch of Windows phones code named “Mango” by several manufacturers open up a world of opportunities for application developers.

What are the exciting new features of Windows Phone for App developers?

While some of the features of Mango are not really new but borrowed ideas from the competition, one area where it has innovated is the integration of social networks across almost all aspects of phone usage. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn can all be accessed from a single hub.

Besides this, Mango will use IE9 as the browser, which has proven to be much faster than android and iOS in tests. The browser also supports Flash, which will enable more innovation by using graphics for application development.

Mango phones will also come with one of the most sophisticated Voice to text features among all mobile phones.

How you can benefit from the Windows Mango launch?

With the updated Windows SDK 7.1, you can get “Go Live” licence and publish your app online on Windows Marketplace. This will ensure that your app is available for download by users when Mango phones are launched, thereby opening up your app to a new segment of customers and the subsequent prospect of increased market share and revenues.

The SDK also includes features for advertising so that you can start monetizing your apps to earn ad revenue as soon as it goes live.

Why your app needs to be updated for Windows Mango?

Right now, change seems to be the only constant in the mobile phone market. Although the Android has strengthened its position as the market leader, there is no telling what the future will bring. Just as the Android replaced the iPhone from the top spot, the new Windows mobile could gain significant market share with its improved features, especially since most users are familiar with the IE browser and have developed software on windows and DotNet platforms.

While ioS focuses on making user experience simple and Android allows users to customise the home screen, Mango phones will concentrate on allowing users to access any information that they need easily by a tap, a touch or a voice command. Whether Microsoft’s gamble will pay off remains to be seen, but either way, it is going to shake up the smart phone market. For app developers this presents the opportunity to cash in on the new segment of customers, which it will bring either in the form of conversions or new users.

So if you don’t have your app integrated or updated for Windows Mango, now is the time to get started to ensure that it is readily available on Marketplace at the time of launch. With years of experience in Mobile Application Development, TechAhead has the skills and expertise to help companies with their Windows Mobile Application Development needs.

Feel free to reach us for any Windows Mobile Application Development Needs!