Microsoft and Sony Are Courting iPhone Developers For Apps and Possible App Stores

In a not-so surprising move, both Sony and Microsoft want apps and an app store for their platforms and are now targeting iPhone developers. First, let’s talk about Microsoft. With the Zune HD announcement, Microsoft made it clear they’re willing to compete with the iPod Touch and have created a marvelous device but the Zune fails where the iPod Touch succeeds, the availability of apps. But Microsoft wants to change that. John Gruber, Daring Fireball, says he received an email from an iPhone developer who was contacted by Microsoft to bring his Twitter app over to the Microsoft, possibly for the Zune HD for ” a bucket of money.”

The developer declined the offer but it seems like Microsoft is planning to possibly release a Zune HD app store or at least offer native Zune HD apps. This news has got to be encouraging for any tech/gadget fan. Who doesn’t want to see better competition among the giants for a piece of consumer loyalty.

While Microsoft is offering iPhone developers a new platform to work on, Sony has a similar plan. They’re courting iPhone developers to help bring games from the iPhone app store to the upcoming Sony PSP. Pricing for the apps would be similar to the pricing in the App store.

Whatever happens with both of these companies, they’re making it clear they want to be a part of this new movement towards applications in mobile devices. Microsoft can make their Zune HD much more competitive if they can get developers to jump onto a platform of their own. Although the likelihood of developers actually making the jump is low, it shows that Microsoft is willing to make the effort to propel their product further.

(Via The iPhone Blog and Gamesindustry.biz)