Microsoft added new features to its Windows Phone App Studio beta in response to customer feedback during the first few weeks of availability.

New tools include connections to additional external data sources (including Flickr), improvements to code legibility and the addition of new templates. Performance and scalability have also been tweaked.

The service saw more than 30,000 projects started by more than 20,000 people during the first 48 hours of availability. It passed 55,000 active projects on Monday (19 August).

Microsoft’s Emilio Salvador Prieto wrote on the Window Phone Developer Blog that in order to manage demand, a temporary access code system has been implemented, in which users sign up and are then sent an access code for the service.

“We knew this tool would appeal to hobbyists and enthusiasts, but we didn’t expect quite so many to jump in so quickly. It’s been wonderful to see the enthusiasm,” said Prieto.

Microsoft expects some apps created in the App Studio not to end up on Windows Phone Store as they have been built by hobbyists. If developers want to publish in Windows Phone Store they can enter a Dev Center account and submit their app.