This week Microsoft followed Apple’s lead and quietly brought local Windows Phone Marketplace pricing more in line (though not completely) with the US. I reached out to Microsoft for comment, and here’s what they had to say…
A Microsoft Australia spokesman confirmed that they’ve been watching the exchange rate:
“Periodically (such as with the addition of new markets) we modify price tiers on a country-by-country basis to adjust for fluctuations in global currency exchange rates. The goal is to maintain consistent application pricing (net of applicable taxes) across markets. During the nine months since our initial launch, some currencies have gained and some have lost strength relative to one another. The changes made this week bring global prices more closely in line with the values established 9 months ago.”
Barry
Friday, July 22, 2011 at 9:49 AMShame about the higher prices aren’t inline more instead of the 99cent price bracket.
Do more Microsoft, I love your phone (hanging out for Mango) and I like a lot of others what WP7 to grow.
Luc
Friday, July 22, 2011 at 10:37 AMGoing to go out on a limb here but why not just use the current exchange rate?
Android market seems to manage quite well letting the credit card companies manage the exchange rates.
In a global market why does region based matter? Why must .au always pay more then the US?
woodsdog
Friday, July 22, 2011 at 11:03 AM“country-by-country basis to adjust for fluctuations in global currency exchange rates”
Does that mean, xbox’s and Windows 7 pricing will adjust…?
Probably not, cause they cost more then 99cents…
Awnshegh
Friday, July 22, 2011 at 1:14 PMLooks like market pressure is finally catching up. But I would hold off on any accolades until after we get a complete comparison of pricing.
Just for the record I’ve got no issue in paying a little more for our Live games vs iOS. We’re usually getting a more polished product with more of everything. Usually.
What about the xbox
Friday, July 22, 2011 at 6:51 PMWhat about the xbox? If I had a windows phone, I might care, but I have a xbox and find it cheaper to rent movies from blockbuster and not waste my bandwidth on it too, as for dlc, 1600 microsoft points. Cost a mint when compared to what tje yanks pay for them.
Sicarius123
Friday, July 22, 2011 at 8:48 PMlol, I love how it’s $7-$8 to rent a highly compressed 1080p movie from PSN or Live, or $2 to rent a bluray from blockbuster.