New Zealand app agency Marker Metro is taking on the world

27 June 2012

Marker Metro: The World’s First 100% Windows App Agency

New Zealand app agency Marker Metro is taking on the world.

With the imminent release of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 from Microsoft, Marker Metro is launching as the world’s first 100% Windows app agency. The company is entirely dedicated to building apps for Microsoft’s new Metro user interface.

“This is a huge opportunity, so we’ve just gone for it,” says Keith Patton, Marker Metro CEO. “Microsoft Windows powers the lion’s share of consumer PCs around the world today. It’s natural that millions of users will soon upgrade to Windows 8, either through a software upgrade or on new PCs and tablets like the Surface device just announced.”

Marker Metro was created to tap into this massive new market. The company is already in exclusive territory: being among the select few allowed to submit apps to the Windows Store prior to the release of Windows 8. Marker Metro built two of the top apps in the new Windows Store, working with Microsoft to build the NZ Herald app for APN, and the Trade Me Toolbox app for Trade Me.

“It’s an exciting time for Microsoft and it’s really pleasing to see Marker Metro seize the opportunity presented by Windows 8 and Windows Phone to create a new business building amazing Metro apps for their customers”, says Scott Wylie, director of the developer and platform group for Microsoft New Zealand.

“We’ve been working with the Metro ‘DNA’ since the announcement of Windows Phone 7 back in early 2010”, says Marker Metro practice lead Ben Gracewood, “so we have a deep understanding of the design philosophy and programming techniques required to make the very best Windows apps.”

The skills of the team at Marker Metro have not gone without recognition. The Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) app for Windows Phone won the inaugural “Windows Phone Solution of the Year” award at the 2011 Microsoft New Zealand Partner awards. Likewise, Marker Metro’s word game Alphajax took out the Best Mobile Application category at the 2011 ONYA awards in Wellington.

“The applications Marker Metro have built for Windows Phone stand out for their great design and attention to detail,” says Nick Abbott, developer experience lead for Nokia Australia and New Zealand. “This agency is creating truly world-class apps.”

“We can’t wait to release more great apps when Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 are released”, says Patton. The team at Marker Metro are gearing up to release a Windows 8 app for 7Digital, to accompany their Windows Phone 7 app, also built by Marker Metro.

“We’d love to work with more companies – kiwi or worldwide - to get their apps into the Windows Store”, says Gracewood, “I see it as a truly unique opportunity for enterprise IT shops to give their users the best of all worlds: great tablet devices, fantastic apps, and access to the full power of Windows when required.”

ENDS

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