Microsoft vis-a-vis the App Store
When Apple launched its App Store on Thursday, I checked to see if I could find anything from Redmond.
There were applications from Salesforce.com and Oracle, but nothing from Microsoft. The company has made some noise about wanting to be on the iPhone, particularly with Silverlight, but it doesn't appear the software maker has anything imminent.
"I'm not aware of anything," said Scott Horn, a general manager in Microsoft's mobile communications business. Microsoft has said that it was looking at Apple's software developer kit and I wouldn't be surprised if some business units take the plunge, particularly folks like the Dynamics group that competes with the likes of Oracle and Salesforce.
The other key issue is what is Microsoft going to do about the noise that's inevitably going to be generated now that the iPhone is "open" to third-party developers. While there is much to knock Microsoft about when it comes to the mobile space, being open isn't really its problem.
For years, Microsoft has had an open platform with Windows Mobile. Developers can sell or give away any program they want to run on Microsoft's handhelds and phones. They don't need Microsoft's approval, nor is Microsoft looking to take a cut of the action. (Apple gets 30 percent of software sold via the App Store, although it does handle hosting and transaction services.)
"We have a really vibrant ecosystem," Horn said. "We have more apps than any other platform and we have more developers targeting us."
Horn said he expected Apple to get a fair amount of attention for its App Store.
"If you go from zero to 500 (third-party applications) it looks like you're exploding," he said, adding that Microsoft has nearly 18,000 applications.
"We have more applications and more phones in the hands of people and that's what matters at the end of the day," he said.
I asked Horn if he thought it was important to have a Microsoft version of the App Store right on Windows Mobile devices. He noted that Microsoft does have an online catalog (for the PC) that offers information about each program and connections to partners where you can buy the applications.
Probably the closest thing to the App Store is a third-party reseller called Handango that sells programs for Windows Mobile, as well as for Palm OS, Symbian, and Linux devices.
The real issue for Microsoft, though, is the iPhone itself.
Apple has a clear lead in areas like user interface and Web browsing. Microsoft has promised to close the gap. The next version of Windows Mobile--Windows Mobile 7--is expected to have similar touch gestures as the iPhone.
On the browsing front, Microsoft has pledged to improve things somewhat, bringing Internet Explorer 6 capability to Windows Mobile by the end of the year.
"Mobile browsing is super important," Horn said, though he wouldn't say whether the new browser will have support for the features like zooming and gestures that have been popularized by the iPhone.
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
MOBILE "Internet Explorer 6 capability "
Whats in WM5 already has some above IE6 cabability... it can show alpha png correctly!
Not too sure what Microsoft is going to do with Danger but they sure better think of something fast or they should just pack it in and concentrate on on fixing their core competency products (Windows and Office).
Apple will sell more iPhones than all other Windows Mobile devices combined this year.
And not to mention, RIM and Symbian devices will still outsell iPhone. Android phones will be coming out later this year. What doe sall of this mean?
Windows Mobile is a dead platform ... reminds me of zune ....!
From all reports I've read, it's easier to develop a good-looking, useful iPhone app than any other mobile phone app, then easier to sell and monetize it. With consumers gobbling up the devices and creating a willing market, why would developers go anywhere else? Hopefully many of those 18,000 applications will stay away (who needs 400 apps to generate to-do lists?), but I think you'll see the best all come to Apple.
Jobs and the crew at Apple are heroes of mine for helping bring back the notion that technical innovation is exciting, sells, and will actually help.
But compare 30% to free for running an app under the OS and the claimed 18000 applications on Windows Mobile and you start to see the power of perception. Today's Google technical news section had three articles changing all day, each on the IPhone 3G and another two in business. You'd normally have to have a tsunami with live footage to get that kind of coverage -- and everyone already knew all of the facts about the release -- and it was a second version.
But yes, all hail the team that can generate that kind of excitement and yes Microsoft had better crank up a lot more innovative face if it wants to compete with Apple, just being good technically ain't gonna cut it any more,.Every day I hear that our customers want the same as they have been getting -- Until a competitor changes the rules and starts stealing market share.
- by technewsjunkie July 13, 2008 9:36 AM PDT
- Same old story from Microsoft - We have Quantity ("more" of this/that)
- Reply to this comment
-
(14 Comments)Poor Apple, it has to settle for QUALITY, not Quantity.