Windows Marketplace for Mobile
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| Developer(s) | Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Development status | Discontinued Succeeded by Windows Phone Store. |
| Operating system | Windows Mobile 6.x |
| Type | Digital distribution |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | n/a |
Windows Marketplace for Mobile was a service by Microsoft for its Windows Mobile platform that allowed users to browse and download applications that had been developed by third parties. The service was available for use directly on Windows Mobile 6.x devices (versions earlier than 6.5 require downloading a free Windows Marketplace for Mobile application) and on personal computers. It was announced at the 2009 Mobile World Congress, and began operation on 6 October 2009, featuring an initial 246 applications. Initially it was available only for Windows Mobile 6.5, and was made available to older 6.x versions a few weeks later. On February 15, 2010 Microsoft announced its next generation mobile platform named Windows Phone; there is a separate app store, Windows Phone Store, for it; WM6.x apps are not compatible with WP7.
From July 15, 2011 Windows Mobile applications could no longer be downloaded from the website, but only by signing into Marketplace for Mobile on a phone. Marketplace for Mobile was shut down on May 22, 2012.
Windows Marketplace for Mobile, available through applications for Windows Mobile and personal computers, offers a 24-hour return policy for buyers, and 70% of each application sale will be paid to developers. A one-time $99 USD fee for developers to list an unlimited number of paid applications or up to five free applications yearly in the store is charged by Microsoft. After five free applications have been listed for the year, each additional free application can be listed for a $19.99 USD fee. Microsoft accepts payment from buyers through credit cards and carrier charges.
Students who are members of Microsoft's DreamSpark program can submit applications to the store for free, waiving the $99 USD fee.
Carriers have the ability to create a branded section of the store to market carrier-specific applications and services for their customers.
Microsoft does not distribute certain types of apps, including those with sexual content, via the Marketplace. Banned applications include:
Rumors about the service began to surface around the internet in September 2008, whereas it was referred to as "Skymarket", and was to appear with the Windows Mobile 7 release. Rumors stemmed from an online job listing from Microsoft's website calling for a "Senior Product Manager".
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