Microsoft acquires HockeyApp, leading mobile crash analytics and beta distribution service for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone

As mobile, cloud, and DevOps continue to transform the application development landscape, we are bringing together the most complete set of tools and services for highly productive mobile-first, cloud-first development - from cross-platform mobile development tools in Visual Studio to Application Insights in Visual Studio Online.

Today I’m pleased to announce that we have acquired HockeyApp, a class leading service for mobile crash analytics and app distribution for developers building apps on iOS, Android and Windows Phone.   We will integrate HockeyApp into the Application Insights service in Visual Studio Online to expand Application Insights support for iOS and Android.

Based in Stuttgart, Germany, HockeyApp offers a range of mobile development services enabling developers to develop, distribute, and beta test great mobile applications.  This includes:

  • Crash reporting.  Fast and precise crash reporting with easy app integration, rich crash analysis and support for connecting directly to existing workflows and bug tracking systems. 
  • Distribution and feedback.  Beta distribution and built-in user feedback system.
  • Cross-platform.  Support for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone provides a consistent developer experience across mobile devices.

In the coming months, we will introduce new iOS and Android SDKs for Application Insights  based on the features of HockeyApp.  Application Insights offers a 360-degree view of application usage, availability, and performance across both client and server/cloud application components.  Integrating HockeyApp crash reports with Application Insights usage analytics will extend device support for Application Insights across all major mobile platforms and make application analytics an ambient part of the application development cycle with support for all tiers of a modern “mobile first, cloud first” solution. 

We look forward to starting this integration work soon, but you don’t need to wait.  You can start using HockeyApp today!  The service remains available to new and existing customers so they can continue to leverage the great crash analytics and beta distribution services.

With the acquisition of HockeyApp, we will continue to build on our vision to provide industry-leading tools and services for any mobile platform through both Visual Studio and Visual Studio Online. 

I am excited to welcome the HockeyApp team to Microsoft.

Namaste!