66% increase in Windows Phone 7 project starts since Nokia-Microsoft marriage.

According to Flurry who measures the support that developers dedicate to various platforms by tracking new application starts, Windows Phone projects received a 66% increase after the Nokia-Microsoft WP partnership.

Note similar relative growth between Windows Phone and Android projects. Flurry notes that in Android’s nascent nasence there were doubts as to whether it could become an ecosystem where developers could thrive. Now there’s 180,000 apps.

Windows Phone, like early Android, has a minuscule, single digit market share. Nokia’s decision to choose WP over Android definitely gives Microsoft a strong chance at making something of their Smartphone platform. The “Swing factor” to give WP at least some potential in being the “third ecosystem” or the “third horse”. (Yes, I know it’s not really fair to discount Symbian, being the biggest horse of them all and only talking iOS and Android).

Flurry agrees with the momentum Nokia can bring to Windows Phone saying:

From Flurry’s point of view, this week’s spike in Windows Phone 7 developer activity shows that developers not only believe Nokia has given Microsoft Windows Phone7 a shot in the arm, but also that Nokia and Microsoft together can build a viable ecosystem.

For Nokia’s new strategy and the company to be successful, Windows Phone must be successful, to the point of doing what many see as impossible, “Beating Android”.

Flurry via WPCentral

Category: Nokia