[yaron zeevik]

Hey I'd like to know how the releasing of the WP 8.1 DP helps MS to fix bugs and errors..by that I mean that if we're not sending any feedback and not compliments ..is there other data they are getting from us without us knowing that?

[xandros9]

Actually, the Developer Preview program is sort of the spiritual successor of the Enthusiast program where they hoped to get updates out without the carriers mucking up the process and blocking updates.

You can send back feedback if you want, but the reason is to simply get updates out to the world more quickly and have some control over it.

What do they get? Happier enthusiasts, perhaps a large pool of beta testers, etc.

[fonix232]

Developer Preview, per say, is not for the everyday users. It is for, as the title says, DEVELOPERS. You know, those guys who write all the fancy apps for your phone? (The reason why the 8.1 update requires a developer account is this).

Basically, when a new platform comes, it usually breaks some stuff. For example, WP8.1 introduces a new way to handle music playback (one of many small features). For this, developers need time to adapt their applications to the upcoming platform. The Developer Preview is basically RTM - features and API is fixed, it WON'T change until release (unless something drastic happens, say, Heartbleed), but small fixes here and there happen. This status is often called feature freeze - no features are added, but existing ones are fixed, and sometimes slightly extended.

So, it does not help Microsoft. It helps the developers get their apps up to date.

[xandros9]

Worth noting Apple does the same thing with their iOS betas.
It's just a lot more locked down with higher barriers to entry. (paid developer account...etc)

[SSgt Bruskowiz]

Developer Preview, per say, is not for the everyday users. It is for, as the title says, DEVELOPERS.

So, it does not help Microsoft. It helps the developers get their apps up to date.

Not entirely.
MS is getting feedback
@ first, there is a developers feedback app in the store.
Seconds there is a developers community active who also provides feedback
Third, MS is also ( more or less ) active in most tech fora.....the users platform like Wp central
for example,
if there was a serious problem during the release, the fora would be flooded with negative comments.
They need one or two coworkers who acidently stumbled over these comments, and they have something to talk about during the dailey coffeebreak.
So yes, they are getting feedback.
The developerspreview does work two way's