Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) introduced new reporting features enabling Windows Phone 7 developer partners to track application performance data. Writing on the Windows Phone Developer Blog, Microsoft's senior director of Windows Phone product management Todd Brix said developers now can analyze two types of performance reports: Download Reports (graphical views of daily and cumulative downloads as well as raw data breakdowns), and Payout Reports (aggregated and detailed views of payouts for all Windows Phone Marketplace applications, including Windows Phone 6.x sales). "These reporting features include the ability for you to create custom views and apply filters, providing the flexibility to see app performance data the way you want to help make app development and business decisions," Brix said. "Reports can be filtered by date, country and application."
The reporting tools follow complaints from multiple Windows Phone 7 developers who said the absence of app performance data made it impossible to identify how their WP7 applications are faring, leaving them in the dark on how best to maintain and tweak their software. Another common gripe: In October, Microsoft said it would withhold developer payouts until February 2011. "We are pleased to now announce that the first payouts for Windows Phone 7 sales will be made in the fourth week of January 2011," Brix wrote. "This payout will include payment for all sales of Windows Phone 7 apps and games that occurred after the phones became available in October 2010 through the end of December 2010. After January 2011, developer payouts will be processed on a monthly basis for all combined sales of Windows Phone 6.x and Windows Phone 7 apps for those developers who meet the minimum payout threshold limits."
Microsoft also touted multiple app registration and submission fixes, including a streamlined App Hub workflow and smaller robustness, performance and usability enhancements. Brix adds that over the last month, 91 percent of Windows Phone 7 applications have been certified and published within two days of submission, with 86 percent of new developer accounts vetted and validated within 10 days.
For more:
- read this Windows Phone Developer Blog entry
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