Microsoft reveals mobile app store plans

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Microsoft today announced new details about how developers can build and sell applications for Windows phones through its Windows Marketplace for Mobile.

Microsoft unveiled the application marketplace available with the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system at last months World Mobile Congress in Barcelona.

The software giant says it will charge a registration fee for developers a $99 a year. Included in this $99 is the ability to submit up to 5 applications to the Windows Marketplace for Mobile. If you wish to submit additional applications then there is a charge of $99 per application.

According to Cnet the software maker pledged that it will also offer developers "complete transparency throughout the application submission process" as well as direct feedback.

Developers who wish to charge for their applications will keep 70% of the profits. Apple also gives 70% to developers and Blackberry maker Research In Motion will be giving 80% back in their store.

The mobile app store is set to debut later this year when Windows Mobile 6.5 handsets are officially available.

(7 replies) #1 +techbeck on 11 Mar 2009 - 14:56

This cracks me up..Apple post, MS post...Apple post, MS post...all over the front page of Neowin

Hopefully there will be some good Apps developed for Windows Mobile that will compete with BB and the iPhones.

#1.1 ekw on 11 Mar 2009 - 15:05

there are already good apps, the issue is that an average consumer does not know where to get them.

Good move by microsoft, increasing accessibility is always a good thing. But yes, here comes the MS copies Apple and/or vice versa.

#1.2 .Kompressor on 11 Mar 2009 - 15:26

lol what is funny is that very rarely do you see Apple do something after Microsoft does it first... lol come on Microsoft grow some balls and start something first...

#1.3 Shokus on 11 Mar 2009 - 15:43

Rarely? I don't think so.

#1.4 +techbeck on 11 Mar 2009 - 16:16

.Kompressor said,

Dont make me go through and post a list of things that MS has done first...because there are many.

#1.5 Calum on 11 Mar 2009 - 17:15

techbeck said,

Agreed. I think .Kompressor would benefit from doing a bit of research

#1.6 Pandya on 11 Mar 2009 - 18:09

http://research.microsoft.com/

wat.

#1.7 SoulEata on 13 Mar 2009 - 04:56

The iPhone browser can't compete with Skyfire, www.skyfire.com at all.

#2 +Frazell Thomas on 11 Mar 2009 - 15:10

Doesn't seem to bad to me! Especially since they offer it free to students.

#3 Xero on 11 Mar 2009 - 15:10

Bout time. Every mobile os should have an app store.

(2 replies) #4 DomZ on 11 Mar 2009 - 15:46

"complete transparency throughout the application submission process" - a sly dig at apples process?

#4.1 rakeshishere on 11 Mar 2009 - 16:12

Mhhh... Apple is best at selecting apps for its iPhone

http://www.engadget.com/2009/03/10/apple-s...age-in-twitter/

#4.2 Calum on 11 Mar 2009 - 17:17

rakeshishere said,

Haha, I still can't believe they did that! I really hope Microsoft are more accepting in their application approval process and they are actually as 'transparent' as they say

(2 replies) #5 +Tech Greek on 11 Mar 2009 - 18:33

I'm tired of buying new phones everytime a new revision of Mobile comes out.

#5.1 Eraser85 on 11 Mar 2009 - 20:14

my old Qtek2020, which was loaded with WinMobile 2003 (not second edition!), thanks to the magicians at xda-dev, is now a fully featured WinMobile 6.1 device! Apart ( obviously ) from the hardware, which can't be upgraded

#5.2 GP007 on 11 Mar 2009 - 22:51

If the hardware of an older phone match up well with most of the newer ones, then they should be able to run the newer WinMo version just fine.

But I agree that MS should offer, or have the carriers offer upgrades to the next version at the least. I don't see why they all don't. If you have one with say 6.0, you should be able to get 6.1 or even 6.5 later on.

But on the flip side it seems that to do so cuts down the chances of them having you just buy a all new device all over again.

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