Microsoft to launch Windows Phone Marketplace in 180 countries

In a bid to carve out its share of the app market, Microsoft recently announced that it would be launching the Windows Phone Marketplace for its Windows 8 phones in 180 countries. The Microsoft blog states that users will be able to browse and download apps at Marketplace when the operating system releases later this year. Currently present in only 63 countries, this move is a big leap, roughly three times the current number, for Microsoft. Meanwhile, developers will be able to submit apps via App Hub from 38 markets.Windows Phone 8 boasts of in-built app purchase/sales features. This means that you can purchase apps as well as sell apps and services from within the app itself. The blog states: “App Hub will provide tools for managing in-app commerce. You can specify what you want to sell, choose prices and countries to make it available, and use App Hub reporting tools to generate detailed sales reports.” The phone’s operating system also features a new market for custom enterprise apps called Company Hub, which allows developers to provide services and apps for enterprise solutions.

Click here for full story