Windows Marketplace for Mobile is Microsoft’s new app store (note lowercase) for Windows Mobile devices. Unlike certain other App Stores, Microsoft has published some clear guidelines about apps that it will reject out of hand.
Windows Marketplace for Mobile is due to launch later this year, to coincide with the new Windows Mobile 6.5 release. While Apple has faced some criticism for the rather opaque nature of its App Store approvals process, Microsoft has decided to just flat-out tellus the kind of apps it will not be allowing you to buy from Windows Marketplace for Mobile.
The most glaringly banned app is Voice over IP (VoIP). No app that seeks to circumvent your network operator by pushing voice over 3G is allowed. It is not yet clear if wifi-based VoIP apps will make it through, but we remain hopeful.
Also out is anything that messes with the core default apps of your mobile. Windows Marketplace for Mobile won’t let anyone change your default browser, SMS/MMS, search or dialler apps. While this is probably good for overall OS stability, it is a bit annoying that you can’t ditch LiveSearch for Google if you want.
You can check out the full list here. While it may seem a bit restrictive, Microsoft should get some points for takingthe time to spell this out and let both developers and users know what is permissable in Windows Marketplace for Mobile.
2nd-half 2009 | £varies | Windows Marketplace for Mobile (via IT World)
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