The whole world is going app crazy, it seems. You’ve the App Store for all those iPhone apps, Google have punted the Android Market so you can fill you G1 up with software, and Nokia are pushing the Ovi Store onto phones like the Nokia N97, taking care of software for their Symbian phones.
Where, though, is Windows Mobile in all this?
Well, according to Mobile Burn, their very own Windows Marketplace is edging closer to reality, as Microsoft have now announced the pricing structure for developers, and payment schemes. And there are no great surprises in that they’ll be taking 30% of royalties, just like Apple and Google do, with their respective app stores. There is one surprise, however, in that it’ll cost developers $99 to submit an app to the Marketplace, which, in Microsoft’s words, is because they will “run a rigorous certification process to ensure that the end user’s experience is optimal, and that the device and network resources aren’t used in a malicious way.” It should be noted that for the rest of 2009, a single one-off fee of $99 will let developers submit five apps at no extra cost.
Now, here’s the thing; I like Windows Mobile, I really do. I’ve been a convert to it since I got my Sony Ericsson X1. But sometimes, Microsoft do things that look a bit odd, to me. In other words, charging $99 to submit an app. I can see that putting a lot of devs off (but hey, if you are a Windows Mobile dev, and that fee is reasonable, then please do leave a comment, and I’ll retract that statement).
The other thing I can’t help but notice is that Microsoft are a bit behind the game on this, especially considering that the Windows Marketplace isn’t due to make its debut until they release Windows Mobile 6.5, some time later in the year. There’s a very simple, one word reason why they’re a bit behind the game, and no, it’s not Apple, or Google, or any of those.
It’s Handango.
Y’see, Handango already provide an online app store for Windows Mobile phones, and hell, my phone already comes with built in Handango software to download apps on the fly. I can, in fact, already do exactly what the Windows Marketplace is planning to let customers do. Ok, the prices may end up being cheaper on an official Windows store, but the quality’s already there.
Still, it’s going to prove to be an interesting fight. I just hope Microsoft aren’t too late to the party…
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