Can Microsoft buy app developers' love?

If the rumors are true, Microsoft's (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows Phone 8 customers may soon enjoy the best apps money can buy.

According to stories reported in Bloomberg BusinessWeek and elsewhere, unnamed sources say Microsoft has been increasing the amount it invests with developers to either specifically write apps for its smartphone OS or to port them over. While the company has openly paid $100 in many cases, some sources suggested that developers were getting paid as much as $100,000.

For a number of developers, the reaction on social media was one of disdain.

Others suggested the tactic, if it's true, may not be in the software giant's best interests.

Then, there were those who, at least in jest, were all-in on the prospect of a big payday from Redmond, Wash.

Best strategy of all? If Microsoft is really forking out that much money, don't just blow it on a summer vacation.