Microsoft offers free apps with Windows Phone device purchase

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is looking to boost sales of its Windows Phone mobile operating system by offering free applications with each new device purchase. Through the end of 2011, Microsoft will award consumers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico a $25 Windows Phone Marketplace prepaid card with new smartphones like the Samsung Focus, HTC Titan and Nokia Lumia 800--click here for redemption details.

Windows Phone Marketplace now touts more than 40,000 applications and games from close to 11,000 different publishers, according to All About Windows Phone. Developers are adding an average of 165 new Marketplace items each day, with roughly 11,000 items entering the storefront during the last 90 days. Mobile games make up 15 percent of all Windows Phone Marketplace entries during the last 30 days--68 percent of all app submissions are free, 23 percent are premium downloads and 9 percent are paid with free trial.

All About Windows Phone estimates that Windows Phone Marketplace is on pace to reach the 50,000 app benchmark in Jan. 2012. The report adds that the store could surpass 50,000 by the end of December if submission rates accelerate over the next several weeks.

For more:
- read this Windows Phone Blog entry
- read this All About Windows Phone article

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