Todd
Brix, Senior Director for Mobile Platform Services Product Management at
Microsoft, just announced at Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference in New
Orleans that
Windows Marketplace for Mobile is on schedule to open for submissions in 29
supported countries on July 27th. Furthermore he unveiled that Microsoft will
bring its Windows Marketplace for Mobile to Windows Mobile 6 and Windows Mobile
6.1 devices and smartphones as well; initially Microsoft only confirmed a launch
for its upcoming Windows Mobile 6.5 OS only. Windows Marketplace will be
available for Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 by the end of 2009, while it will be
available for Windows Mobile 6.5 in the fall.
Microsoft is already working with a wide range of leading developers for both
business and consumer applications and will soon be able to make available a new
wave of applications that will be ready for download when Windows Marketplace
launches in the fall. To make things a little more interesting, later this month
Microsoft will also announcing the details of a developer contest that will kick
off at launch.
Brix posted: "We're working hard to create a new experience for mobile
users and developers alike; where users can easily discover and confidently
purchase and download applications for work, life or play and developers
feel good about the submission process and are able to reach a new market
for their mobile applications. In fact, we're announcing today that by the
end of 2009 Windows Marketplace will also be available to Windows Mobile 6.0
and 6.1 devices. This means that developers will have an opportunity to
reach more than 30 million Windows Mobile devices."
Furthermore Brix unveiled that Microsoft plans to launch the Windows Marketplace
Business Center; a category in Windows Marketplace that will contain mobile
business applications across several common industries and line of business
functions from leading companies. Business Center is said to become another way
for Microsoft's partners to differentiate themselves and showcase their business
applications, while making it easier for users to locate and purchase the latest
mobile business tools.
Cheers ~ Arne
