Developers weigh in on Marketplace plans

We've been digesting the news surrounding Microsoft's Windows Market for Mobile equally the details trickle out. Developers keep 70 per centum of the profits, same with Apple tree's App Shop. Standards must be met, but Microsoft volition be there to guide developers.

And recently there's been a scrap of debate as we learned that updates to an application count the same as submitting a new app. [I Started Something via jkontherun]

Hither's how it works: For the initial $99 application fee, devs can submit up to v apps. Whatever additional submission beyond the first 5 will cost another $99. Then you could submit 1 awarding, so update it iv times in a year without paying more. Or you tin submit 5 unlike apps. Dealer's choice. Counting app updates against the v-a-year free limit sounds downright crazy incorrect to us, merely nosotros're not developers.

And then before we get all outraged, let's take a deep breath and remember things through. More to the indicate, we asked developers. After the break, nosotros talk with a few well-known developers and see how they feel about Marketplace.

Probably the biggest difference between Microsoft's Market place and Apple's App Shop is that, initially, writing programs for the iPhone was brand new. Everyone starts from zero, and at the same time. Apple runs the ship and has everything on lockdown. If yous want to (officially) release an app for the iPhone, you practice it on Apple's terms.

Obviously, developers have been writing and releasing applications for Windows Mobile for quite some time at present. Certain, you follow the parameters of the Software Development Kit (SDK) in the actual programming. But distributing the app has been entirely up to the developer. Some have their own Web sites from which they requite away their app for free. Others are purchased from sites such as Handango or Mobihand (which we use for the WMExperts Software Store).

Product visibility

If you're a Windows Mobile smartphone user for, say, longer than two weeks, chances are you've tried something from SPB Software Business firm. They make Mobile Trounce, one of our favorites, business concern, weather and productivity apps ... y'all name information technology.

So you lot might recall that a pop and well-established software company, which already has a strong outlet for its products through Handango, might not desire or demand Windows Marketplace.

Non so, said Victoria Krasilshikova, the corporate communications manager for SPB. Having the full might of Microsoft behind a production would be an advantage.

"Nosotros are very excited to see [Market] go live," she wrote past e-mail. "The reasons are clear – yet a relatively minor percentage of smartphone owners (including Windows phone owners) actually purchase software for their handsets, the reason existence the complexity of the process itself, the incertitude of success — volition the ... paid-for awarding actually launch on your phone?

"There are problems with credibility for all developers, even SPB. And still fifty-fifty today, virtually users don't fifty-fifty suspect that their phones can do more and can perform ameliorate. Then, we really promise that the [Marketplace] volition combat this trouble."

Some other major programmer, Resco Mobile Solutions, too plans to hop on lath the Marketplace from the beginning.

Writes Resco's Marcel Saffa: "I call back Windows Mobile Marketplace is a good idea. Resco really appreciates Microsoft'south footstep. Such a system surely volition shorten the way in which a user can download and buy applications.

"Nosotros plan to update all our applications as before long as nosotros're able."

So if y'all're selling something, product visibility is key. If more people who know most your app, then more than people will purchase it. Makes sense. Merely what almost free apps? Accept a look at your phone. Of all the programs yous use, how many did y'all pay for? OK, how many paid apps did y'all pay for? The Windows Mobile developer community is as potent as any, and stronger than almost, nosotros'd fence.

Upside to the Update state of affairs: Separating the wheat from the chaff

Putting a monetary ceiling over developers might seem at face value like a quick money catch by Microsoft, only there are advantages to doing it. What comes to mind kickoff is this: If developers take to pay to have their app in the Market, they'll take more time and develop better applications.

Vince Koser is the writer of the popular Windows Mobile Twitter client ceTwit, which he distributes complimentary from his weblog, Kosertech.com. More often than not, yous'll see smaller, more independent developers release updates more frequently. And so does the $99 for v apps (or updates) bother him?

"I think the 5 awarding submissions a twelvemonth is realistic," Koser writes. "I recall information technology
will cutting down somewhat on the "2-hours-to-develop, try-to-plough-a-quick-cadet blazon applications that we are seeing in the iPhone AppStore, which isn't a bad affair.

"On the down side, it might deter someone from making an application they wanted to give away complimentary that might be actually good if they have already released 5 items for the year."

Marketplace for life?

It'southward piece of cake to get all up in arms these days whenever a visitor seems to be (gasp!) trying to brand money. Merely as we mentioned from the start, there's a very strong developer community surrounding Windows Mobile that has been putting out quality applications for year, and many of them for costless. And that isn't likely to disappear with the advent of the Market place.

"I think that we need to realize that the distribution model equally I understand it isn't going to prevent me from continuing to distribute my application as I practice now," ceTwit'due south Koser said. "So if I want to release some free software, I think I will still have the option to merely put it upward on the web equally I do now."

What should be interesting to see is how Microsoft might handle a sort of symbiotic relationship with developers outside the Market. Could a dev sell an application in the Market, and then release updates for costless on his or her own Web site? In-app updates are already available (though for the most office under-used), so that might be an option.

Regardless, Microsoft's going to need to clarify its position on the deviation betwixt submitting an awarding and issuing updates, or things might get ugly. Or they might not. Resco'southward Saffa is optimistic that Microsoft volition revisit the upshot before the Market place launches afterwards this year.

"This is not positive message for u.s., but I believe that Microsoft will re-evaluate this strategy."

Update: BirdSoft, makers of fantabulous WinMo goodness like Farthermost Agenda, chimes in in the comments beneath.

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