The fact that applications are scarce on the Windows Phone platform is undeniable. In order to change this situation, Microsoft once announced a large amount of funds to recruit WP applications. Unexpectedly, this actually had the opposite effect, as many mainstream applications for WP came even later.
Foreign media WMPoweruer revealed that despite Microsoft's substantial investment in the WP platform, it may have actually slowed down the development of the application ecosystem. The main issue lies in the existence of ransom-like or extortionate practices within the WP platform.
Specifically, once developers/companies believe that Microsoft will offer generous rewards for their apps, these developers/companies tend to delay porting their apps to the WP platform until Microsoft pays them enough compensation.
This conclusion is not merely speculation by tech media, as some development companies have already acted this way. According to the latest news, the development team behind the game "Snowstorm" stated on their KickStarter fundraising webpage that their game will soon be launched on iOS and Android, "As for Microsoft (WP), if they are willing to pay us, we can negotiate."
Currently, the number of WP users is gradually increasing, but the lack of applications remains a significant weakness. In its strategy to expand WP applications, Microsoft's incentive system has become a double-edged sword. How to motivate WP developers has once again become a new challenge for Microsoft.