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Windows For Devices
your Windows® embedded community
While Microsoft's forthcoming Windows Phone 7 has hogged the limelight since its announcement at last week's Mobile World Congress, Redmond has not forgotten about the existing Windows Mobile 6.x operating system (which will apparently be renamed Windows Phone 6). The company has unveiled enhancements to Windows Marketplace for Mobile (right), which allows owners of Windows Mobile 6.0, 6.1, and 6.5 devices to purchase applications over the air.According to Microsoft, one key, "highly requested" feature is that Marketplace now allows users to install applications onto storage card memory, as well as a phone's built-in flash (see settings screen, below left). Previously, Marketplace only allowed the latter, which meant that a phone's memory could run out after a few apps had been purchased.
Another end-user oriented tweak is the "World View" feature (above right), which allows browsing and purchasing applications from different geographic catalogs. For example, says Microsoft, a user in France could choose to browse the English US catalog, or a user in Canada could browse the catalog from Japan.
According to Microsoft, all application prices will show up in the user's local currency. That will potentially include rubles, since the Marketplace is now available in Russia, the company says.
Improvements for ISVs
Microsoft says ISVs will no longer have to pay a $10 fee for submitting their applications to additional markets. Once an app has been certified for a primary market -- there's a $99 submission fee -- it can be submitted to other catalogs for free, according to the company. It's said ISVs will receive step-by-step instructions on how to re-price their applications for additional markets.
According to Microsoft, it is also releasing "deep linking" capabilities for ISVs, allowing them to create web pages that link directly to the purchase page for their applications. A standardized "Get it Now for Windows Phone" logo will be made available, the company adds.
Previously, Microsoft banned ISVs from creating any applications that enable VoIP services over a mobile operator's network. Such apps will now be allowed unless they're explicitly prohibited by a carrier, the company says.
Further information
Microsoft's Windows Marketplace for Mobile is included on Windows Mobile 6.5 devices, which should update themselves automatically to the latest version, the company says. Users of Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 devices may download the Marketplace client by going to mp.windowsphone.com.
More information about Windows Marketplace for Mobile may be found in our previous coverage, as listed below. Microsoft offers further information for end-users, here, and ISVs, here.
