It’s been a massive week for Microsoft with the launch of the company’s first tablet Surface, the official unveiling of Windows Phone 8, and the start of the Windows Phone Summit in San Francisco.
Thursday the company had another event to celebrate, the Window Phone Marketplace hit 100,000 apps. It’s a great milestone for the company which has traditionally lagged behind Apple and Android when it comes to app availability and downloads.
The Windows Phone Marketplace still has a long way to go before it catches up to Google Play (previously the Android Marketplace) -- Google Play surged past 100,000 apps back in 2010 -- however, Microsoft boasts that its store reached the milestone faster than Android.
“Windows Phone Marketplace now stands at 100,000 apps and is officially one of the fastest growing apps stores,” said Nokia, many of whose phones run Windows Phone software.
Both Microsoft and Nokia are celebrating the achievement with the launch of new apps and games.
“To mark the milestone, today we’re announcing a new batch of marquee titles,” said Joe Belfiore, manager of the Windows Phone Program at Microsoft. “The official Audible app for audiobooks arrives in Marketplace today. Official apps from Chase and PayPal are in the works. Gamelofthas Windows Phone versions of Asphalt 7: Heat and N.O.V.A. 3 Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance on the way.”
Nokia is also working to bring Zynga games Words with Friends and Draw Something to Windows Phone later this year.