WinMo developers will pay $99 to upgrade apps

Microsoft plans to charge mobile-application developers $99 to release upgraded versions of applications they submit to the Windows Mobile Marketplace, and will also charge them for minor updates unless they are released within seven days of the application's debut.

When Microsoft announced plans for its Windows Mobile Marketplace application store earlier this month, it said it planned to charge developers $99 a year to participate in the program as well as a $99 fee per application submission--although as part of a promotional offer developers who registered this year could submit up to five applications for free.

The Windows Mobile Marketplace is expected to arrive along with Windows Mobile 6.5, shown here.

(Credit: Microsoft)

After IDG News Service spotted a message posted from Microsoft's official Windows Mobile Twitter account that notes "upgrades/updates are new app submissions," developers started to wonder if upgrades to their applications would count against the five-application limit.

A Microsoft representative revealed in an e-mail, however, that the five-applications offer only applies to separate and distinct applications. In addition, developers will have to pay to submit upgrades to their existing applications--not just for new applications.

The cost to upgrade a previously submitted application will be $99. However, developers are able to update a previously certified application for 7 days from the time the application was originally published, free of charge. An update may include resolving any bugs with the application or providing minor updates. Applications being updated do not need to be recertified.

Microsoft's thinking appears to be based on giving developers a financial disincentive to rush hastily coded applications to the market, hoping that they will take their time and emphasize quality over speed. Then after the app is released, developers will have an incentive to fix the bugs that do make it through the development process as quickly as possible.

But it seems this strategy will have the effect of putting a ceiling on the number of applications that will be submitted to the Windows Mobile Marketplace. Developers have a number of options these days for their mobile software, including Apple's App Store, Google's Android Market, and the BlackBerry App World store expected to be unveiled next week at the CTIA conference. Apple charges $99 a year for unlimited submissions, and Google charges a one-time $25 fee for the same privileges.

It's going to be much more expensive for those developers to maintain an application on the Windows Mobile Marketplace. Of course, developers may not care if their application sells well; Microsoft, like Apple and Google, plans to let developers keep 70 percent of the revenue they generate.

But it will be interesting to see how developers react to Microsoft's policies. The Windows Mobile Marketplace is expected to arrive along with the release of Windows Mobile 6.5 in the fourth quarter.

[getwired]

Microsoft, once the developer's friend, again demonstrates how out of touch they are with the small ISV ecosystem. I don't anticipate nearly the community around the "WinMo" app store that the iTunes store has for iPhone applications.

[Mr. Dee]

I think this is just history repeating itself. Apple has really won in the mobile app store market, just like they did with the iPod. Microsoft is coming too late to market with their counter strategy and its just not compelling enough to sway users decisions.

[inpersonoz]

Developers! Developers!? Developers?... anyone?

[BogusBasin]

Monkey boy! I can smell your sweat from here! Amen

[kksing]

One possibility could well be that developers will use the WinMo store to 'advertise' their software, submitting a proven version which is rarely updated. They could easily maintain a seperate website elsewhere (or use one of the many publicly available software repositories) to upload and distribtute their apps (much like what is happening today).

[Vegaman_Dan]

The prices are too high, but this may avoid the reputation the Apple Appstore has gained as holding nothing but flashlights, tip counters and fart applications. I hope their vetting process is a bit better than Apple's.

But really, drop that application fee to around $20 or so.

[seven7dust]

that feeling is only among Apple haters
most others know that the app store is the real difference between the iPhone and other Phones

but I partly agree with them that the app store could be made easier to navigate
and should somehow do away with the 99c App economy !
there r many many useful apps in the itunes app store but they r extremely hard to find mostly due to the navigation and arrangement !

[Seaspray0]

I agree. I think the net effect will be that some developers will not update their apps. That would leave the consumer with an app that is not as good as it should be and could have been fixed. With all the effort microsoft puts into updating their own software, they should extend the same courtesy towards developers for their products. It would be in microsoft's best interest to do so.

[myles taylor]

They need to make their platform more appealing than the mobile market leaders, not less. :(

[Iria00]

It will already be hard enuff to drag devs away from the hot platforms: Pre, iPhone, Android. Adding this extra charge will just make it near impossible.

[slickuser]

WinCrap for Windows Crap Ultimate 6.5

[Seaspray0]

slickuser. Are you potty trained?

[vmlenigma]

I wonder how much are they going to Charge the Virus Writers? Im sure they will be Viruses, After all this is Windows.

[BogusBasin]

At least you can buy your virus laden device for cheaper. None of that "Apple Tax" just so you can get a device that works well. You must really be a snob with your latte. Long live Monkey Boy! Amen

[alenas]

This is clearly stupid decision from MSFT. But I bet they will change that before WinStore launch...

[DrtyDogg]

I might be wrong here, but wouldn't you just deliver updates through your own service, rather than going through the app store? It is Windows Mobile, they had better not restrict applications to only those bought through the app store.

On the other hand though $99 dollars plus 30% is quite steep just to host an application.

[Seaspray0]

I dodn't consider that. If the application is available outside of the store (which it should be), then if the developer incorporates updating into it (say from another website), that could resolve the need to update it on microsoft's webstore. I agree on the 30% being steep.

[NearChaos]

Who uses the Windows Mobile App store? Why not just go with Handago? And update through your own website? Sheesh, maybe they'll lock users out of their own devices like Apple on the next release. I'm sure that'll do a lot for their market share.

[BogusBasin]

"like Apple"? Microsoft would never do anything like Apple! Why would you copy someone so close to going out of business? Don't forget kids - Apple is an overpriced toy! Nobody would ever want one unless they are a latte drinking snob! Nobody would ever copy their every move. Never.......................................Amen

[jypeterson]

@Bogus Basin, HA! Nice sarcasm...
Anyway, @NearChaos, the only people who would be locked out are those who have jailbroken their device. Most people don't and those who jailbreak know not to update until the devs have released the updated version of their hack.

The whole point of having a store is to advertise in one place where most traffic will be. I don't think that this will be a good thing for Microsoft to go in this direction. Good luck with that strategy, Microsoft...

[ballmerisanape]

I'm sure the punch-drinking Microsoft drones will find some positive out of this. After all... Microsoft makes the most secure.......most refined....innovative....Operating System on the planet.

[Seaspray0]

No, I don't see this as a positive move. I think they should allow the developers the ability to update the software without the charge. As for writing the most secure, refined, and innovative OS... That depends on who you ask. I have found an article that goes into more detail about the vulnerabilities...

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10154662-83.html

[Button Boy]

Charge me HOW MUCH to post updates? Well, I guess bug fixes will not be posted on their marketweb. Good thing my apps can self-update.

[totocalimero]

As an iPhone developer, I can tell you that this extra-charge is ridiculous. I am just one person speaking for myself and I cannot speak on behalf of other ISVs, but the idea of giving 99 bucks every time we want to submit an update or a new application is a deal breaker.

Perhaps MS doesn't want to have ISVs publish software on its market place. Maybe they only want big "names" on their platform and by having this recurring charge, they expect to filter out the smaller players. Well, it is their decision.

Also, are they going to implement some form of code signing to make sure that an app published on their store is not cracked within hours and available for free somewhere else on the web?

Once again, MS is totally out of touch. Until now, I was 50/50 on the idea of developing for WinMo on top of the iPhone. Now, I know there is no point.

Thanks for the information. We won't waste our time and money with these jokers.

[BogusBasin]

Developers developers developers developers! Amen

[techman21]

Maybe we should give Microsoft just 7 days to fix all their bugs, then start charging them!