According to a recent CNN article, Nokia is privately dispensing cash to developers to make apps for Windows Phone. They’re also offering incentives like pre-installing developers’ software on upcoming phones and marketing their products. CNN says such payments from phone manufacturers are unusual.

There are over 425,000 apps in Apple’s App Store and over 200,000 in the Android Market. I believe the Windows Phone Marketplace is currently in the 5 digits. The CNN article says Nokia is opening its wallet to help the Marketplace grow.

If you ask me, numbers don’t matter. I prefer quality over quantity. I also use the iPhone and several Android devices, and I only have about 40 apps in each device. I think Windows Phone will be more tempting for iPhone and Android users to switch if many of these users’ favorite apps are also available in Windows Marketplace. Let’s hope Nokia is giving the money to the right developers.

Photo by Andrew Magill