As expected, Microsoft Germany just announced that from today, developers can register and submit applications for the Windows Marketplace for mobile devices. As announced previously, the new download portal for Windows Phone applications will be available from autumn 2009 with a wide range of available applications. The access for developers is available in 29 countries in their national languages available - including Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The market place offers 14 categories in which applications can be published and will include among other things, games, social networks, lifestyle and books.

The registration for the Marketplace will require a Microsoft Windows Live ID account. The registration fee of 75 Euro will be paid by credit card and includes the certification of up to five applications within a year while application updates of submissions which were already published will be free. According to Microsoft's press release, the developer can determines the price of his product itself and will receives 70 percent of sales. Soon Microsoft Germany will also hold a developer contest for mobile applications.

The final version of the Windows Marketplace for mobile devices allows Windows Mobile device users to download pplications directly from the phone or via the PC and will be available in autumn 2009; initially for Windows Mobile 6.5 devices. By the end of the year, Microsoft also plans to release a client for Windows Mobile 6 and 6.1 devices.

Cheers ~ Arne