100 per cent increase in app downloads since release of Windows Phone 8

The release of Windows Phone 8 has contributed to a 100+ per cent increase in the number of application downloads from Microsoft’s Windows Phone Store, the company has revealed. 

Todd Brix, the senior director of Microsoft’s Windows Phone Apps Team, confirmed the news via Twitter, stating the company had seen a ‘100%+ increase in WP developer app revenues & downloads since WP8 launch in November.’

Brix didn't talk specifics with regards to numbers, so it’s hard to quantify just how big a bump the advent of Windows Phone 8 has actually caused. Prior to the launch of the new platform, adoption rates for Windows Phone 7 were critically low at less than 2 per cent. 

Certain Windows Phone 8-powered handsets, namely the HTC 8X and Nokia Lumia 920, are reportedly selling exceptionally well, even selling out in some regions. 

Microsoft still has a long way to go before it closes the gap between Windows Phone and iOS and Android, however. It is also rumoured to releasing yet another update in the New Year, Apollo+, that will bring some much needed functionality – notifications, for instance – to the platform. 

Nothing regarding Apollo+ has been confirmed yet, but reports indicate that Microsoft intends to show of the new update at Mobile World Congress 2013. If that is the case, we’ll be on hand to find out more.