Microsoft Releases More Info on Windows Marketplace for Mobile

Microsoft recently announced that Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphones coming later this year will include an on-device application store. This software giant has just revealed many details developers need to know to take advantage of this.

Developers who sell applications through Windows Marketplace for Mobile will receive 70% of the revenue, with the other 30% going to Microsoft.

Third-party developers will be able to set the price for their applications in each market, and can also choose to distribute their products for free.

Applications will have to pass a "rigorous" certification and testing process to ensure that they run well on Windows phones before they can be listed on the market.

Software developers will have to pay an introductory annual registration fee of $99, which will allow them to submit five applications a year to Microsoft for certification. Each additional submission within the year will cost $99 more. The registration fee is waived for students through enrollment in the Microsoft DreamSpark program.

"Microsoft's decades-long relationship with developers has led to some of the most exciting innovations the industry has seen. We'll continue our successful collaboration with developers through Windows Marketplace for Mobile, which will provide a broad reach to customers," said Andy Lees, senior vice president of the Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft Corp. "With the new Windows Marketplace for Mobile and our great development tools, Windows® phones represent an incredible opportunity for developers everywhere."

More details will be released when registrations open in the spring, and developers will be able to start submitting their applications later this summer. The first models running Windows Mobile 6.5 are expected to be released this fall.

Apps Stores for Everyone
Although the idea of putting a software store directly on a mobile device isn't new -- Handango InHand has been available for years, for example -- Apple truly popularized the idea with the iPhone App Store.

In the wake of Apple's success, many others have gotten on the bandwagon and are coming out with their own on-device software stores, including BlackBerry, Google, and Nokia. Microsoft's will be a similar service, allowing users to shop for games, utilities,  or other software directly on their phone.

However, none of the others are following Apple's lead by making its software store the only source for applications.

Source: Microsoft