Microsoft making big play for app market, Bloomberg says

In advance of the release of its upcoming Windows® 8 operating system for tablet computers and traditional PCs, Microsoft® is anxiously seeking talent to help fill out its application portfolio, Bloomberg reports.

According to the news provider, Microsoft has "lined up design firms, recruited interns and sent engineers on an around-the-world road show" to aid its efforts. On one hand, this shows Microsoft is taking its latest foray into the mobile market very seriously. On the other, however, it hints that Microsoft is starting out at a disadvantage.

As Bloomberg notes, when Apple® and Google entered the mobile industry, the app market was still relatively thin. Apple especially had very few competitors in the early days, and Google found success going the open source route.

Microsoft has neither of these luxuries. It also has a big gap to cover from the get-go, so it makes sense that the software giant would be interested in hitting the ground running. To do so, Microsoft is looking at several options, including a 12-week internship program in which college students will get paid to build apps.

A May 2011 study from research firm IHS iSuppli predicts revenue from major mobile app stores will reach $5.6 billion in 2012, up from $3.8 billion in 2011 and $2.1 billion in 2010. If Microsoft is successful in its app pursuit, it may be able to capture a larger piece of this market.