It’s been a big day for Microsoft and its Windows Phone platform. With Nokia releasing a major new handset, and the pair having what can only be called a ‘special relationship’ at this point, both parties will have been at full tilt throughout the day.
One announcement to come out of Nokia’s day will also resonate inside Redmond, as Microsoft’s somewhat troubled Windows Phone mobile operating system looks set to receive not one, not even two, but three big app releases at some point in the undetermined future.
According to Nokia during its Lumia 1020 launch today, Windows Phone is set to see Path, Flipboard and Vine releases in the future. With all three apps currently available for both iOS and Android, the lack of such titles on Windows Phone has often been a sticking point for potential switchers. Now, with the trio on the verge of joining Microsoft’s Modern-shaped revolution, things could be looking up for the platform.
A lack of apps, or more specifically a lack of triple-A titles has often been one of the biggest reasons that customers have avoided Windows Phone in favor of the more established, and certainly more app-prolific Android and iPhone platforms. Microsoft has long been aware of such an issue, and has been actively trying to get mobile app developers on board, with limited success.
The Instagram saga is one that has been going on for some time, with Nokia particularly vocal about the lack of an official app for Windows Phone. With Nokia’s new high-resolution camera-oriented Lumia now out of the starting blocks, the company will be hoping to appeal to photography types. An official Instagram being available for its phones is something of a must at this point, and we’re pretty certain that it will be officially announced soon. But meanwhile, Path, a brilliant personal social networking platform will be making its way to Windows Phone, and we have to admit, hands down, it’s one of the best social networks we’ve seen. And thanks to today’s announcement, the official app is on its way and will be available soon for download.
There’s no word on when any of these apps – Vine, Flipboard and Path – will be made available, so we won’t be rushing out to get our hands on a Windows Phone handset just yet. Still, there does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel for long suffering Windows Phone fans, and that can’t be a bad thing at all.
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