Microsoft outlines latest app plans for Marketplace

14 July 2009 19:45 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Microsoft has outlined further plans for its latest version of Windows Mobile application store on Tuesday.

In a blog post, the company has confirmed that it will be opening up its Marketplace app store for submissions on the 27 July in countries including the UK, the US and Australia.

Aside from confirming when developers can submit apps to the yet to be released app store, Microsoft has also confirmed that the new service will be available to Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 devices by the end of the year after the initial 6.5 launch. The news means developers will have an opportunity to reach more than 30 million Windows Mobile devices possibly allowing it to leap frog the Apple iPhone App store.

"In terms of milestones, I’m pleased to report that Windows Marketplace is on schedule to open for submissions in 29 supported countries on July 27th", said Todd Brix, the senior director for Mobile Platform Services Product Management at Microsoft.

Brix also confirmed that the new version of Windows Mobile, version 6.5, will be available "in the fall" suggesting a late September early October launch date.

Microsoft is hoping the ability for developers to submit content ahead of the official launch will mean plenty of applications for people to download. Brix is already promising a "new wave of applications that will be ready for download when Windows Marketplace launches with Windows Mobile 6.5 in the fall".

The company has also said that it will be setting up a dedicated area within Marketplace called Business Center, that will house business applications.

In related news, Apple has announced that it has sold 1.5 billion apps in its App store in the first year, while LG has today launched a new app store for some of its phones in Asia.

Via: windowsteamblog.com

Full tags

Phones, Apps, App Stores, Microsoft, Marketplace