14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft constantly calls for developers to create apps for Windows 8, but the company’s strategy to attract users with such a feature may fail on the long-term, an analyst believes.
Basically, it all comes down to the number of apps that will be available in Windows 8, both at launch and after a few months.
Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, told ComputerWorld that Microsoft needs at least 5,000 apps in Windows 8 at launch, mostly because early adopters will definitely load the Windows Store looking for apps.
At this time, there are only 2,300 apps available in Windows Store and reaching the 5,000-unit milestone is almost impossible. The company however hopes that 3,000 apps will be available before the Windows 8 official unveiling on October 25.
“Microsoft has put a big burden on Windows 8 and Windows RT. They have to have a large number of high-quality apps... I've said 5,000 is a reasonable number... to be successful at launch. They don't need 100,000, but they need a decent number,” Moorhead said.
On the long-term however, such a strategy may fail to impress and it could seriously affect the overall Windows 8 sales. Microsoft’s call for developers is clearly a sign that the Redmond-based technology giant plans to expand the Windows Store to an unprecedented level, so it all depends on how fast this happens.
“Microsoft and their partners are taking a long-term view of this. What's important [to them] is getting Windows into mobility. They're not too concerned about making that first impression [at launch]. It's their strategy, but it's not what I would do,” Moorhead concluded.