This morning, Microsoft has elaborated on its plans to launch a centralized application store with specific details on development tools, application details and fees, as well as launch plans.
The Windows Marketplace will be launched in Spring for interested developers to register and later in the year, pay a $99 fee for registration once Microsoft starts to approve applications in the Summer. Development tools will consist of standard tools such as the Windows Mobile 6 SDK and .NET Compact Framework version 3.5 among others.
The service will begin accepting application uploads at the aforementioned timeframe while Microsoft intends to enforce a limit of 5 applications per developer account, with each additional application carrying a $99 fee which covers Microsoft’s review and feedback process necessary to ensure application quality and utility along with safety.
The Windows Marketplace will initially launch in 29 countries and developers will be free to set their own prices for applications in each market, with Microsoft taking 30% of application revenue and allowing developers to keep 70% of net revenue.
More specific details will be released later this Summer, and the service is expected to launch alongside Windows Mobile 6.5, which is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of the year.
Well I hope we will still be able to get apps from other places. If we are forced to get everything from the same app store that would be a huge step backwards.