Microsoft kicks off Windows Mobile app store challenge

At long last, Microsoft is publicly getting its Windows Mobile application storefront under way. On Monday, Microsoft opened the door to submissions from developers in 29 countries. To sweeten the deal and to drum up excitement, Microsoft has also announced the Race to Market Challenge, a contest of superlatives that will end with Redmond doling out four touch-screen Microsoft Surface tables to four winning developers.

All applications, games, and widgets certified in the Windows Marketplace for Mobile before December 31 will be eligible to win one of four categories: most downloaded freeware, most moneymaking app (calculated by the number of downloads times price), the most useful product, and the most playful. Microsoft will determine the last two subjective awards by a panel decision.

The winners' spoils are paltry in terms of quantity and heft when compared to Google's first Android Developer Challenge, which gave 10 teams a $275,000 award, 10 teams a $100,000 check, and each of the top 50 finalists $25,000 as an incentive to program the "best" of the first-ever Android applications.

Indeed, we were hoping to see more lucrative prizes from a company whose mobile operating system long ago lost its gleam to the iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, and now even the Palm Pre. With such a modest purse, it's doubtful that the contest will lure important developers more than the promise of sustained profit and saturating the mobile market on all platforms would. It might attract the smaller fish, whose success could likely be eclipsed by fast-acting bigger players.

Still, for the hopeful winners, odds clearly favor the free and premium applications that are promoted in the app store the longest, and among them, apps already popular on earlier Windows Mobile builds and on other mobile and desktop platforms (Google Mobile App might be one example).

The backdrop to Microsoft's challenge is its submission process, which Microsoft estimates will take 10 business days from start to finish. Developers will be able to chart their apps' progress on a dashboard, and access a report if Microsoft denies the submission for breaching content policies (PDF), prohibitions (PDF), and submission guidelines (PDF).

Microsoft's Windows Marketplace for Mobile application storefront will premier on Windows Mobile phones running the upcoming version 6.5 of the mobile operating system. It will be the distribution nexus for free and premium Windows Mobile applications that is similar in concept--and likely in form--to Apple's iTunes App Store, Google's Android Market, and RIM's BlackBerry App World.

Windows Mobile 6.5 phones are expected to hit shelves in early autumn.

Interested developers can access everything from the developer toolkit to the marketplace registration here.

Microsoft is accepting submissions from developers in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States.

[slickuser]

Lame -Microsoft Windows Mobile is one hell of a boring OS. Good luck to developers<br />who are going to mix MFC, ATL and Win32 App to write an app for this crappy OS!<br /><br />I'll stay away as far as I can!

[yipcanjo]

"boring OS"? That's your criteria for whether or not something is good? My nearly-4-year-old T-Mobile Dash phone is currently running Windows Mobile 6.5. I can send text messages, multimedia messages, take pictures, cut &#38; paste, browse the web, use map software, connect with full Exchange support, and a whole lotta other stuff. I guarantee you that I can make a phone call or send a text message faster than 99% of the phones out there! I've also had a period of 3 months where I never (not once) rebooted or restarted my phone, which is turned on 24/7. <br /><br />I guess I should toss it because it's "boring", though.<br /><br />I agree that WinMo needs to ramp up quickly, but Windows Mobile phones have long been very efficient and productive. They're not flashy -- I'll grant you that -- but there's still a lot of life left in those legs. Hopefully WinMo 6.5 (and the upcoming version 7) can build upon what WinMo already does correctly.

[monkeyfun14]

Atleast they can write any app they want. I can't say the same for iPhone.

[Random_Walk]

"Atleast they can write any app they want."<br /><br />Not necessarily. Microsoft itself has a history of not rejecting apps, but of threatening lawsuits against anyone (especially MVP's apparently) who writes code that may be considered a bit too useful. ;)

[bananaphonerules]

Don't forget business users: I haven't seen many rugged alternatives apart from proprietry OSs. <br />Whats the drop height onto concrete for an iPhone?

[DrtyDogg]

funny random, I've seen quite a few MVPs that have been head hunted by Microsoft, only to have Microsoft make their program free. I guess you can always find a good or bad story, though you only find the good if it's from Apple.

[Dalmatian28]

Windows Mobile is designed with business users in mind and that is what it does the best! If you want play MP3...get a iPhone, after all ....that is all that iPhone can do well!

[play7]

What you expect from kids? All they want is gamesand other useless apps. THey never really use for any important use. The Iphone indeed is nothing more then a kids toy...... Look how its traget buyers apples is aiming to........

[ballmerisanape]

"Whats the drop height onto concrete for an iPhone?"<br /><br />Higher than you think.. especially if you spend $20 on a slimline case. <br /><br />"Race to the Market"... are they kidding? How long has WinMo been around.. and only now are they stirring up their stagnant pool? I thought MS was out of touch.. but this is ridiculous. <br /><br /> @Dalmatian28, <br /><br />your trolling.. right? Ever heard of the "App Store"... I know.. it's crazy.. but you can actually use the iphone or ipod touch to do things like.. RDP into your windows machines (multiple and the same time at full screen resolution), access MRIs with OsiriX... talk and read email at the same time... google maps with street view and rich interface, buy music and apps on the fly, locate your friends on google maps, upload pictures to mobile me, YouTube, watch full length movies...... crazy stuff like that.

[windooor7]

I call it a good investiment fro the future. Folks only buy app if you give them a good reason to do it. And iphone is one of those good reason. Microsoft need to get a small group of desingers and developers to seculsion in middle earth. and one year later, flames years ahead. with a Microphone. <br />they have to get this if then need to move on. And please do not take zune designers with you.. meanwhile, applet designers play with app store to get used to it..

[Vegaman_Dan]

@Random_Walk: <br /> <br />"Not necessarily. Microsoft itself has a history of not rejecting apps, but of threatening lawsuits against anyone (especially MVP's apparently) who writes code that may be considered a bit too useful. ;) " <br /> <br />Ah yes, another thing they have 'copied' from Apple. Apple has this situation often when a new app shows up, runs for a few months, then gets pulled by Apple with no reason given, but a new update in the OS magically happens to have the same feature added. This has led to accusations made by developers in forums that Apple is having developers do all the legwork, then sweep in and take it away from them. There's good arguments for and against those claims.

[stringboy]

The real winner will create a new UI. One that allows the device to, at least occasionally, work as a phone.

[slickuser]

LoL

[DrtyDogg]

http://pocketpccentral.net/software/uioption.htm <br /> <br />http://www.mobilecomputermag.co.uk/20080430453/giga-byte-announces-gsmart-smart-touch-windows-mobile-ui-replacement.html <br /> <br />http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2007/02/01/jgui-crafts-vista-skin-looks-better-than-crossbow/ <br /> <br />And many more. It's nice when you can do whatever you want with you're purchases.

[twburger]

Oh great! The 'Zune' of mobile device app stores. I wonder if they'll be willing to try to increase profit by being less restrictive of pornography and vulgarity than Apple.

[empirestatebuddy]

Well, better late than never, I guess. Apple only has a 65,000 application lead...

[monkeyfun14]

And Windows only has a several hundred thousand application lead over OSX whats your point.

[DrtyDogg]

do you really think that you can just now develop apps for Windows Mobile? They are just now being organized in a Microsoft owned store. Pocketgear.com has over 20,000 Windows mobile apps available right now. Hell even this very website has 16,000+ Windows Mobile Applications available for download.

[sting7k]

Sorry but there are only 5,000 apps in the app store and at least 60,000 pieces of trash from kids who want to make a quick buck on the iPhone train. <br /><br />Windows Mobile applications have been around for a long time, an old Tmobile Dash I had years ago could get many applications. This is just now a central place to get them instead of apps being all over the internet.

[topgunb2]

@sting7k what are you talking about, people are crazy over the glow stick application, its so productive and useful!

[ballmerisanape]

monkeyfun14, <br /><br />are you admitting that the iPhone OS is better? Because I'm sure your one of those MS fanboys that touts "more applications" when belching about Windows superiority (in spite of it's obvious inadequacies).

[monkeyfun14]

@ballmerisanape <br /> <br />Yes iPhone OS is better atleast for now... <br /> <br />WinMo 7 will blow it away.

[jpg27]

LOL@ monkeyfun yeah keep on dreaming.

[Tiggobittie]

Yes... MS has many more Win Mobile apps avail in the market. Big Deal! What's lame here is, yet another, a pathetic copy of Apple. Not a SINGLE original thought in their brains!<br /><br />Yes, Yes, Yes... i know. They have bigger market share. Who cares! They create a crappy product. MS is the Chevy of technology. Or the K-Mart of technology. Whatever analogy you want to provide. Just pure lame, pathetic, and embarrassing.

[lazycat202]

@Tiggo:<br />"They create a crappy product. MS is the Chevy of technology. Or the K-Mart of technology. Whatever analogy you want to provide. Just pure lame, pathetic, and embarrassing."<br /><br />why the hell all companies are running Windows (Servers &#38; desktops)? If you're employed and working on an iMac, i bet ya that your IT department (MCSE/Linux certified admins/techs) is doing a good job to keep you and your iMac in the network. Hey!! who got brains?? For the youth generation, if they're major in Apple products, they wouldn't get a job in IT. yep! They could get jobs at Apple stores as Apple sale representatives. Gosh!!!

[DrtyDogg]

Copy, like making a mobile operating system?

[monkeyfun14]

OMG NO NOT COMPETITION ANYTHING BUT COMPETITION WE WOULDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO ACTUALLY MAKE A COMPANY IMPROVE THEIR PRODUCT. <br /> <br />I find it funny how no other company can do something similar to Apple without being deemed copiers. Good ideas should be spread around..

[Tiggobittie]

Hmmm... I had a Newton waaaaaay before MS dud anything close to being mobile.

[DrtyDogg]

you could make cell phone calls with the newton?

[topgunb2]

@DrtyDogg no phone calls, but it was a good paper weight, what about gui, I guess that was apple inventions as well, **********, get your facts right!

[ballmerisanape]

monkeyfun14... it's not that they are doing it.. it's that they are doing it NOW.. In typical MS fashion.. they REACT not ACT. If MS had no competition we would all be using Win 95.. and we would all enthusiastically defend it blindly....cause that's all we knew.

[monkeyfun14]

Doing it now? What the hell are you talking about?

[ballmerisanape]

monkeyfun14? Read the headline... "Microsoft kicks off Windows Mobile app store challenge".. that is.. MS is kicking of the challenge now... not last year.. not the year before... but only after they are being pushed into obscurity. Blame your buddy Ballmer for that one.. after all... who would by the most expensive phone on the planet?

[lazycat202]

not many apple users know what warez is and where to latest album/apps for FREE. That's why iTune squeezes every drops of their $$ (iTune users). On another hand, most PCs have at least one illegal application installed. Since Microsoft is dominating more than 90% of the world wide market, do a calculation and you'll see how much they're loosing. Moreover, there're more PC savvy users than Apple. They should know ways to get what they want, for FREE. yuck! I don't think Microsoft AppStore will make a big bucks as Apple.<br />The only way to decline Apple's profit it to "distribute" illegal warez sites widely. LOL :P

[Tiggobittie]

"why the hell all companies are running Windows". <br /><br />Again... The rebutle is about market share. This isn't about size. The point is about lack of originality. Go back to Fry's and build your pimped PC a little more. Hey, I saw some neat fans with red neon!

[topgunb2]

who invented GUI you dumbwit? my advice: wear gloves while using mac, the plastic has hallucinogenicand adictive properties, as seen from your posts..

[ballmerisanape]

anodized aluminum.. but that's another issue..

[Tiggobittie]

Xerox... but who cares. I'm not a dumbwit at all. In fact... i'm smart and great! And life is oh so sweet with my MacBook, iMAC, and iPhone. Oh... and my Apple TV too. Nice, integrated, and perfect.<br /><br />Damn! I love my world!

[lazycat202]

" Xerox... but who cares. I'm not a dumbwit at all. In fact... i'm smart and great! And life is oh so sweet with my MacBook, iMAC, and iPhone. Oh... and my Apple TV too. Nice, integrated, and perfect.<br /><br /> Damn! I love my world!"<br /><br />that's one of reasons why IT guys/girls think your brain is collapsed. it's ok! Since it's your money and Apple already built a road for you, good luck!<br /> For me, I want my kids to get to know with technologies as much as they can. I'd love them be able to build their own PCs from scratch. I'd love to see they familiar with all popular software so they can move freely and stay ahead in workforce. Will Apple be able to deliver these wishes to my kids? I guess not.

[ca5ter]

Twitter will be my shining light. I love to Twitter. Twitter make me happy. Around balls.

[dbloyd]

The iMac has better networking than the PCs at my company. It is strange but true. Major web applications that run slow or struggle with PCs if the PC isn't configured right, VPN connection that works faster, running X Windows out of the box. It is a little secret that Macs are better in the business world.

[topgunb2]

no doubts you are one in billion!

[ubnyan]

They need to offer a prize to get developer's attention... I guess MS is aware without an incentive to developers they would get very poor interest in their mobile platform. Keep trying MS.

[slapppy]

Ho hum. Another ME-TOO. Nothing new with Microsoft.

[monkeyfun14]

Funny you mention that considering WinMo is one of the first OS's with app support...

[Tiggobittie]

iPhone vs. WinMo... What a joke!!!!!! iPhone BLOWS WinMo away. Even if you only cared about the elegant interface... that's enuf to use iPhone. But the Browser... HOLY CRAP. Makes the IE toy look stupid.

[slapppy]

@monkeyfun14 <br /><br />Yep. It was and apparently, its such POS, Microsoft needs to copy Apple with their App store. Yeah so Microsoft had that POS for several years, so why bother copying Apple if it was so good???? I guess NOT! LOL

[Vegaman_Dan]

Imagine if MSFT just decided to deploy Win7 onto the phones. I'm not talking about a stripped down phone OS, but the full blown desktop Win7 OS. Netbooks have proven that Win7 works great on them in limited resources and a lot of phones today are becoming more and more powerful, rivaling even those netbooks on their capabilities. <br /> <br />Think about it- a phone that can run full normal desktop apps. The screen resolution issue would need to be addressed as well as security (big issue there), but if it can be pulled off, you could release a phone that instantly has *millions* of apps already developed for it over the last decade plus. <br /> <br />I'm not really sure I'm ready to have Photoshop on my phone yet though. :)