Windows Developers Maximize your revenue on the Windows Store with Lotaris

Microsoft has decided that Windows developers are not required to use the Microsoft’s commerce engine to support the purchasing options from within their applications. From that aspect, Lotaris has launched a new product for Windows developers call Lotaris in-appCommerce which unlike the default Microsoft commerce engine,

From that aspect, Lotaris has launched a new product for Windows developers call Lotaris in-appCommerce which unlike the default Microsoft commerce engine,
1. Supports a full range of business models including full app purchase, in-app purchase and a whole range of subscription features
2. Provides direct access to users that have downloaded your applications
3. Provides developers with more detailed analytics and reporting
4. Allows you to keep a higher revenue share on your transactions

On the last point, Lotaris allows developers to truly maximize their revenue on the Windows Store. While Microsoft takes a 30% revenue share of all transactions, Lotaris takes a significantly lower share at 15%. And to make the decision to use Lotaris in-appCommerce easier, Lotaris will be waiving its revenue share for the next 90 days. This allows developers to keep all 100% of revenue earned from their apps.

Supports all Windows Platforms
Lotaris in-appCommerce can be used across all current Windows platform, supporting applications on Windows Store (for Windows Pro and RT) and Windows Phone Store (for Windows Phone 7 and 8). More importantly, it can also be used for any Windows 7 and 8 desktop software, whether this is feature in the Windows Store catalogue or sold through any other distribution channel like retail, OEMs, mobile operators and online portals.

Supports multiple business models
Lotaris in-appCommerce allow developers to offer more comprehensive business models (and the flexibility to change them with ease) to their users as compared to Microsoft including, full app purchase, in-app purchase of virtual items (which includes the virtual item catalogue management), subscription models and free trial/fixed periods. In all business models, a smooth user experience will be provided, with the users identified using their Microsoft ID or Facebook credentials.

Seamless integration process
In order to make the integration process a seamless one, Lotaris provides a self-service portal which allows developers to get going with the SDK and configure their monetization parameters, such as business models and pricing. In addition, the Lotaris API has the same specifications as the default Windows Store API, so that an application can easily switch between the two commerce engines, if required.

Click here to find out more

About Lotaris
Lotaris, a Red Herring Global 100 Award Winner, provides a commerce solution to mobile/PC/web app developers and/or content/app distribution platforms that allow them to very easily adapt and sell apps and digital content using a variety of business models for any operating system platforms (Android, Windows 8, Blackberry and HTML 5) across multiple distribution channels (App Stores, Mobile Operators, OEMs, Retail and Direct).

Lotaris’ cloud-based commerce engine manages the end-to-end user processes on behalf of its customers - including License Management, Payments and Analytics.

Application, Mobile, sponsor, Windows

On Nokia and Windows Phone 8 Lumia

Nokia Lumia series mobile phone stand out from the crowd. Devices powered by Windows Phone 8, react, the interface feels fresh and they have great cameras.

"What phone to buy?" is one question I get asked a lot, and obviously, there is no fixed answer.

Android-based phones as Google Nexus or Samsung Galaxy series – are a good option for people who prefer choice as every single feature of Android devices can be configured directly from nabiratel' for the on-screen keyboard. Then there's the iPhone for those who want to have the absolute best phone and memorized to pay a heavy premium. Some people also see the iPhone as a status symbol.

For others, my recommendation is often Nokia Lumia series, powered by Windows Phone. Why? No Google maps? Not Gmail? There are no applications for Windows Phone? This is a normal reaction that you can expect when you recommend someone Windows Phone device.

Android Store (Google Play) and iTunes app store about a million applications and Windows Phone applications store are nowhere close. This is not, however, a good reason to abandon Windows Phone platform. Most popular applications – Twitter, Facebook, Skype, WhatsApp, Evernote, Kindle, square, TrueCaller, to name a few – are already available to others how Flipboard, grapes and the path is in the works.

Google is conspicuously absent in Windows Phone Store and no Instagram or Chrome in the store. But there should be a deal breaker?

I use different models of Nokia Lumia as my main device for more than a month now, and have never found myself looking at Android or iOS device because of lack of application. The Apps I need, ban several Favorites like Flipboard and Feedly, all there now. And this is the only mobile OS that has Microsoft Office. The study said that smartphone users, on average, set about 41 apps but use less than a dozen apps on a regular basis.

Nokia Maps, now called cards here and here (to rotate the turn voice navigation) are good, in some cases, better alternative to Google Maps, and they include full offline capabilities as well. Nokia here city of lens is the augmented reality Viewer application that displays all the nearby places is not only popular public places, but even local medicine shops and MOM n pop shops – through the camera viewfinder.

One of my favorite features of Windows Phone-contacts and Facebook integration. Every time I wake up Phone, there's a new image on the lock screen, randomly pulled from one of my albums on Facebook. Then there are the children's corner, where you can select a list of games and applications that must be available for your children and the rest are all on the phone remains hidden.

On-screen virtual keyboard in Windows Phone, with flat keys and good spacing between the keys, easy to type while you miss the Swype input gesture style available on Android devices. Windows Phone 8, also lacked proper notification Center.

Lumia series phones are among the best cameras in their circle and camera button make it easy for you to quickly capture the moment. Lenses are one of the unique features of Windows phones that allows you to open various camera application-like Nokia Cinemagraph, Instagram like filters or Panorama maker from the camera window.

Lumia range is available at all price points from the budget of 520 to elite Lumia Lumia 920. 920 Sporting the biggest screen on 4.5 "and supported its brilliant PureView camera that does particularly well in low light. The device feels premium, rugged and extremely responsive, but the only thing that does not go in their favor.

Upcoming 925 Lumia has similar characteristics as 920, but does away with the extra pounds. Nokia India website said 925 "coming soon", but not sure how soon that will happen.

Next on the list is the Nokia Lumia 820. This again has a large display, which is a little less than 920, the camera takes crisp pictures, although it lacks PureView and phone performance is also very good. Unlike solid features a detachable rear cover 920820 and support micro SD card for additional storage but the whole device feels thicker and a bit heavy.

Lumia 720 sport same design – the rectangular plate with curved edges – 920, plastic back with matte finish doesn't feel cheap and provides excellent traction. 720 display isn't as bright as the more expensive cousins, but this is one model of Lumia, which feels thin and light. 6.7 MP camera and phone performance won't disappoint either.

Among the budget phones Lumia 620 is a small device with 8 Windows Phone 3.8 "display and 5 megapixel camera. Lumia 520 is the best-selling device Windows Phone 8, and rightly so – the phone is a value for money with a decent display, which is little more than 620, 5 MP camera, LED Flash, removable lid and a fluid and responsive Windows Phone 8. You can even manage the touch with 520 your nails.

Windows Phone design is fresh, different and extremely user-friendly. Live tiles, a customizable home screen, printing, large fonts, bold menu system, screen animations are smooth and beautiful. In my 30 + days of no application has never crashed, scrolling is smooth and never any lag even on low Lumias range.

Apps store is growing although Windows Phone 8 still cannot be first platform for most developers.

However, look at your current collection of applications – if the ones you absolutely need are also available for Windows Phone 8, urged Lumia. And if I had to choose a favorite among this series, it would be either Nokia Lumia 920 (for camera and polished look) or for the budget conscious, Lumia 720 (good specs and more value for money).

An iOS-Like App Launcher for your Windows Desktop

If you find the Windows Start Menu confusing, you can use an application launcher to quickly your favorite programs and websites from the desktop.

WinLaunch is a desktop app launcher for your Windows desktop the design of which is very similar to the Launchpad app of Mac OS X Lion or the iOS home screens. When activated, it turns your entire desktop screen into a beautiful app launcher.

Download the WinLaunch program from Sourceforge.net, extract the archive to a local folder and double-click the WinLaunch Starter.exe file to launch the program. You don’t have to install the program though it can be pinned to the Windows Task Bar for quick access.

Press “F” and then drag-n-drop your commonly used software programs, website shortcuts and even documents into the WinLaunch app. It is also possible to group app icons in a folder by dragging one icon onto another. This is useful for putting related items – like Microsoft Office programs or Adobe Creative Suite apps – in a logical folder (see next screenshot).

Once configured, you can press the hotkey “Shift + Tab

” to launch the WinLaunch app in full-screen mode. WinLaunch will hide itself once you launch another app use the “Escape” key to exit the program. The Launcher app will use your current wallpaper as the default background though you do have an option to pick another one.

WinLaunch is free and available for Windows Vista, 7 and Windows 8 (x86 and x64). If you find it confusing to navigate through a myriad of menus in the Start Menu for launching an app, WinLaunch might be a good alternative.