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Just in time for the release of the new Windows phone, the Nokia Lumia 900, we learn all about how Microsoft plans to beef up its skimpy app store. Microsoft's app store has only 70,000 offerings compared to the 600,000 and 400,000 available in the iPhone's and Android's respective stores. This bareness was one of the drawbacks for reviewers, who otherwise found the phone pleasant. In an attempt to catch up, though, Microsoft is getting agressive about recruiting developers, as we learn today in both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. So far, it doesn't look like the efforts have paid off yet.
Out of desperation, Microsoft has taken a three pronged approach to wooing developers to build apps for its platform: Money, effort, and groveling. Unlike Android and Apple, Microsoft is straight-up paying developers to get apps in its store, report The New York Times's Jenna Wortham and Nick Wingfield. "They made it very easy for us," said Ben Huh, chief executive of the Cheezburger Network who accepted money from Microsoft. "They took care of everything." The Windows phone maker also paid Foursquare for similar services. And for those it doesn't outright pay, Microsoft has expanded ways app makers can make money off their developments, according to The Journal's Shira Ovide and Ian Sherr.