14 DAY TRIAL // Last week's reports that Microsoft was planning to charge developers $99 for the updates they would make to the applications added to the Windows Marketplace for Mobile, expected to be launched later this year, caused a lot of fuss around the Web, yet it seems that the Redmond company has decided to change its approach on the updates that would be made to the applications listed on its software portal. At the same time, it also announced that its Windows Mobile 6.5 and Windows Marketplace for Mobile had received strong support from various industry players.
The software giant was previously reported to plan on charging developers for any application update that was not submitted within the first seven days since the app had been added to the portal as it would do with any new app. Basically, developers that would have already submitted five apps to the Marketplace and would like to update their software solutions were to pay $99 for any such update, no matter its size or importance. However, the Redmond-based company is now reported to have backed off from its initial plans and it seems it will allow developers to make updates to their applications for free.
According to a Microsoft representative, all updates or version upgrades for the apps that are already listed on the portal will be accepted free of charge. The new decision is reported to include all updates ranging from minor bug fixes to second-generation releases. The $99 yearly fee for a maximum of five applications still applies, as does the $99 fee the company will charge for any application that is submitted in addition to the initial five ones.
In related news, Microsoft announced that its Windows Marketplace for Mobile had received support for a number of large industry players such as EA Mobile and MySpace, which plan to add Windows phone applications to the portal. At the same time, the Redmond company also intends to announce, at the upcoming International CTIA WIRELESS 2009 show in Las Vegas, an alliance with “two prominent design houses” in a keynote made by Robbie Bach, president of the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft.
Among the first companies that would offer applications through Windows Marketplace for Mobile we can count AccuWeather.com., The Associated Press, CNBC, Developer One Mobile Software, EA Mobile, Facebook, Gameloft, Glu Mobile, Handmark, Ilium Software Inc., Jeyo Inc., Kinoma, LiteScape, Magmic Games, Melodis Corp., MySpace, Namco Networks, Netflix, Pandora, PhatWare Corp., Resco s.r.o., ShoZu Inc., Sling Media Inc., SBSH Mobile Software, Spb Software, Web Information Solutions Inc. and Zagat Survey.
Microsoft also stated that the applications that users would be able to find listed with the Windows Marketplace for Mobile were meant to enhance the mobile experience in gaming, social networking, media, utility and personal productivity areas. The app store will be able to offer users the applications they want directly on their mobile phones. Currently, Windows Mobile phone users already have at their disposal over 20,000 applications, says the company.