Below are some notes from the Tech.Ed session on Windows Mobile. Some very interesting information was revealed.
- PC growth 3.9%
- Mobile 5.8%
- Mobile PCs 18.6%
- Converged devices (smart phones) 34.1%
Windows Phones made by 50 device makers.
Microsoft remain focused on the Windows Mobile platform and not building a dedicated Microsoft Phone.
Application developers now receive more share of the development. Since the introduction of the App Store, developers now get a better deal. Previously around 20%.
Windows Mobile 6.5
- UX Upgrade with great new touch capabilities
- Improved browsing with Internet Explorer
- Widgets
- Windows Marketplace for Mobile
Windows Marketplace for Mobile
- Phase 1 – Eliminate distribution barriers (On-device client, Attractive Economics, Global reach).
- Phase 2 – Eliminating purchase barriers (Purchase choice, Purchase convenience, Purchase confidence)
- Will have application trials. Return within 24hrs. Aiming for higher priced apps.
- Ability to buy apps from PC, Phone or Web. (Web will work basically the same as Xbox online).
- No in-app purchases available.. yet.
- Your app cannot contain the marketplace.
- Expectation is that Games will be the most popular category.
- Will contain screen shots, Review, version number. Very similar to iPhone App Store.
- By the end of the year Windows Marketplace for Mobile will support all 6.x devices.
Windows Marketplace for Mobile items.
- Showcase
- Most popular
- Operator store
- What’s new
- Categories
- My applications
Transparent processes & policies
All declined apps will be fully explained. Available from http://developer.windowsmobile.com/
Cost
For the cost of becoming a developer, $119 (which gives you the ability to publish in the Windows Marketplace for Mobile). allows you to publish 5 applications. The problem is, that every region counts as an app. Furthermore, any additional apps will cost you $99. This pricing structure is ridiculous, there was a collective gasp from attendees as this was confirmed. In comparison, the competition – the iPhone development platform, allows developers to publish with worldwide distribution for around $130.
