Microsoft job listing hints at App Store-like 'Skymarket' for Windows Mobile
By Darren Murph 
posted Aug 31st 2008 11:03PM
posted Aug 31st 2008 11:03PM
[Via The Raw Feed]
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In similar news: using small images for icons is an iPhone-like trait.
I'm confused, what's that got to do with anything? Serious of sarcastic?
Icons are small images by their very definition. They've been used since the times of the ancient Greeks to quickly provide symbolic information.
where do I get that WinMo theme?
@JohnTitor
The same place WinMo did... from Apple.
Seriously, I think the obvious software marketplace that predates the App Store would be XBLM, or something. On a related note, it seems like the XBox division is the division of Microsoft with the most positive mindshare ATM, so they should try to leverage that and use the Live branding in more places, such as this, and maybe even work out some sort of system where stuff on XBL transfers over to your WM powered phone, although that would require two versions of each program.
Interesting that that WM7 screen shot shows Sliding Panels, which was what MS added to WM6.1 for smartphone. They have mentioned this was one of the technologies they brought forward from WM7, and the screenshots prove it.
BTW, for the rest of the scoop, on not just Skymarket, but also Skyline and Skybox, see http://wmpoweruser.com/?p=821 .
There are loads of Windows Mobile 7 themes over on xda-devs. Here are two:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=392985
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=407487
Skymarket? Sounds sci-fi-ish.
Sounds like Sky Mall, the catalog of crap you see on airplanes.
You sure MS and google aren't tryin to set up SKYNet, Just that the name is already taken.
Competition is great for the customer!
Generally, true.
How so in this case? Where's the competition?
roole:
I would assume that Apple, with the "App Store" would be the competition to the "App Store-like" Skymarket.
competition? so you tellin me I can use the App Store on WinMo and SkyMarket on iphone?
even if you could this isn't really competition, a store is just a place to get new programs, maybe the programs compete with each other but I don't see store applications themselves doin that, the only reason microsoft is doing the skymarket is to give awareness to all the WinMo apps out there, probably the most for any mobile platform but not everyone knows about that, where as iphone and android users have easy access to their warez
not really competition since both services are marketed to different devices/worlds and iphone user cannot go and use microsofts skymarket... so in essence theres no competition just copy-cat tactics
Got that right!
I am really excited to see what happens with Windows 7 & 8; a centralized market place would definitely be an awesome addition.
I know this is a little off topic but did anyone ever notice the hint at Zune integration in the last big engadget WiMo 7 Post?
http://www.engadget.com/photos/is-this-windows-mobile-7/561244/
It would be freaking awesome if every Windows Mobile phone became a Zune.... as long as Verizon and the gang didn't decide to cripple out that feature for their own music stores. :-X
What would be smart for Microsoft would be to ditch the Zune branding and go with Xbox for every media related thing they have. I love my Zune, but people would relate to it more if it said Xbox something. And then Integrate Xbox Live and Xbox Media into the Windows Mobile OS.
Wow --- quick, everybody look --- two individuals shameless enough to admit they actually own a Zune.
I would have to say that this isn't in response to apple's app store, but they are fearing Google's app store
Yeah, @computer.dude.28, "App-store-like SkyMarket" is competition like Zune is competition to iPod. Heh heh. I look forward to your post here alerting me to when that happens.
S-n-o-r-e.
@ loosely_coupled
I actually don't know a Zune....
The device is enticing... but I also am looking to buy a smartphone for the first time... so I would prefer an all-in-one device.
The idea of being able to carry over a Zune library to ANY WinMo 7 phone really appeals to me... I like choices, you know?
is it me, or is skymarket a little too close to skynet :)
Slow news day, eh Engadget?
Slow comment day, eh Joe Blow?
I think it's newsworthy. Microsoft should've done this long time ago, there are so many (and great) apps for WinMo
It's good to know they'll make them acessible like Apple did with theirs
Poor MSFT.
So much cash. So little use for it.
It's not hard to imagine a typical day at Microsoft:
Manager1: Whoa! Have you seen that? Let's copy it and make it worse! All the more because we have a fraction of that market, and we have no idea how to do that!
(Ballmer in the background, chanting and jumping back and forth: DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS)
Manager2: Yes! And let's change the location of pretty much everything in the next version of Office and Windows, so users can't find anything anymore!
(DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS)
Manager3: Let's get rid of menus! They've been around for so much time, people are too used to them! Random new things FTW!
(DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS)
Manager1: Cool! But be sure to implement thousands of new useless features and add loads of bugs in the process!
(DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS)
Ballmer, recovering briefly: All you're doing is good, but Microsoft needs to try and waste money in other sectors instead of concentrating on its core business, which is the sole source of our income. Let's compete with Google! Let's but Yahoo! Let's bang our head on the wall!
All together: YES!!! BRICKLAYERS BRICKLAYERS BRICKLAYERS BRICKLAYERS!
Microsoft: The Freedom To Innovate (TM)
"While Apple's App Store was far from being the first of its kind"
let's burn all the bastards! /s
The iPhone app store is the first app store of it's kind ... made by Apple.
And if that's all you focus on, any app store (or touchscreen interface, or mp3 player, or whatever) is therefore a copy.
That would be great! It's so hard to find up-to-date versions of good, compatible windows mobile software.
It's hard to select "check for new version" third-party software?
Actually some programs check when you launch them and ask if you want to update.
If it's anything like SkyMall, count me in!
I would rather be bludgeoned to death with a dildo than have SkyMall embedded into my next phone. Although, their USB garden gnome is rather tempting...
Wait for the TF2 scout update
http://kotaku.com/5035750/we-hope-this-isnt-the-scouts-new-weapon
It's no surprise that microsoft is late to this party.
The interface you see goes back to patents in 2005 ... they might be last out the gate but I'm sure they started before some others.
What party? Buying and selling? Or do you think Apple invented commerce?
I expect Windows Mobile 7 to be a substantial update to the Windows Mobile line. So much that I think they should just rename it. Calling it Windows Mobile might do a dis service.
OH NO!!! SKYNET!
You're missing how little time and effort goes in to some of these items.
Isn't that the catalog full of weird crap they have in airplanes?
Well, makes sense then.
I'm hoping this becomes a reality, because I got the Iphone 3g to replace my tilt until windows mobile became a little more like the iphone (in terms of browser capabilities, ease of use, etc.) and until some awesome handset would be running windows mobile 7, like the Sony experia x1, which is now delayed (and I almost waited with my tilt to get that thing, but the tilt is impossible to use), which hopefully means by the time the uber-phone comes out, it may be running winmo 7!
The device you may possibly want, is coming sooner, rather than later.
HTC Touch Pro: http://www.htc.com/www/product.aspx?id=49534
With the X1, the higher resolution isn't necessarily a good thing due to the physical screen size. I mean, so you might possibly fit a whole web page on the screen, but you'll still have to zoom in to read it.
I do hear your plight though, loud and clear. I carry an iPhone (1st Gen) to browse photos, videos and web, but the Tilt is still my go-to phone for now. The Touch Pro looks like it might finally be the convergence device. Take a look at the demo features on the above link.
The one thing I enjoy with the iPhone is being able to use my thumb to enter in text. While I like the keyboard functionality of the Tilt, I don't always want to use two hands, or simply don't have two hands free. It looks like that problem may have been answered with the Touch Pro. There are still some things I don't like about it, but if will allow me to carry once device instead of two...I'm sold.
Also, what's up with the iphone link?
Wouldn't LIVE Market make more sense...that way it would have apps for Zune, Xbox, WinMo etc all in one place...the site could just auto adjust its content to the device you are accessing with but would have design and function cues that were consistent on all platforms?
Just a thought.
Agreed but I suspect they are trying to show that you can access this store over the air (presumably WiFi and cellular). Whether this is important for the customer to know is up for debate.
in other news iphone stole the icon button idea from original palm devices. also in other news apple took their head out of their lorals and added an sd card slot.. seems thats a winmo trait.
more breaking news it has been revealed that apple has copied everyones idea and the only real idea that they came up with is the multi touch screen.. it seems that the icon button idea has been around for many years..
in other news apple has thrown 1000's of commercial for their iphone and hoping to reach 10 million sales and winmo has very few commercials and non on tv (unlike iphone) has sold a disappointing 18 million licenses (ms projected 20 million).
in more breaking news, real users of pda's cannot seem to change the way iphones look but have found it incredibly easy to configure wino to their liking on a daily basis if need be.
Lets just sky doesn't stand for sky-high prices.
Prices would probably be set by the author of the app not microsoft so every app will have different prices and most likely cheaper alternative apps.
more breaking news!!
iphone added gps and winmo devices have had it for years!
amzingly enough the news can go on forever. we would like to thank iphone users for being dumb enough to compare the pile of crap wrapped with a pretty screen to a real device running winmo. please dont forget to use ms software when you sync your iphone with exchange servers.
thank you come again
Watch them screw it all up by teaming up with Handango to continue to rip developers off at an amazing 55% cut of the selling price of each application.
Anyone know what phone is pictured?
It is a mock up of a purported internal MS doc...engadget reported on it in the past...not a real phone.
Here is the google cache of the original posting.
http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:V0L3wodZBuoJ:microsoft.blognewschannel.com/archives/2008/01/06/exclusive-windows-mobile-7-to-focus-on-touch-and-motion-gestures+http://microsoft.blognewschannel.com/archives/2008/01/06/exclusive-windows-mobile-7-to-focus-on-touch-and-motion-gestures/&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=ca&client=firefox-a
it think its called the "render", by Render Phone Company
I could actually see LG or Samsung releasing a "Render".
One good they could start doing is having some kinda interconnectivty between zune, xbox360, winmo phone, and skymart. If done right it will def give other app stores a run for there money. Also in the consumer will win big...
Yeah. Godot.
*in the end
I own a iPhone. It's not the end all be all of phones this is apples market now. Plus it ain't even out yet dumbass...
Yes! About time! A centralized applications store, would make it much more easier to locate and browse great apps for WinMo. It'd really make the user experience better. Windows Mobile by itself, currently, is NOT suited for average consumers. Not without hardware makers (such as HTC) or even carriers putting a little something in (T-mobile Shadow).
I really hope WinMo 7 is consumer oriented. With a UI that meshes well with the phone, many must-need features, better media playing, superb internet browser, etc. Microsoft also ought to work more closely with their hardware partners, to make great devices, instead of just good devices. Amping up the hardware requirements (like having built-in Bluetooth, GPS, 3G, etc.) will ensure a more "standardized" Windows Mobile experience, and make it easier to for developers to make apps that work on ALL WinMo phones.
Any competition is better. I'd almost go for the iPhone, but Apple is far too controlling for my taste.
Poor QB. So desperate for anything new from MS that he's willing to ignore the blatent copying of Apples excellent implementation of the mobille app store. Too bad MS copy will be garbage when and if it come out. Your excitement for this "me too" service from MS is hilarious to see.
Agreed. It is shocking that it has seemingly taken Apple's arrival on the mobile scene to convince the other mobile platforms that a centralised store, accessible from the user's device, where they can find and buy new software is "a good idea". This really is an idea from the "No Shit, Sherlock, School of Computing". Whether Microsoft will do a good job of the implementation of the idea remains to be seen but why it has taken so long for them to even mention it is quite beyond me.
Whether or not Apple "invented" the concept is really immaterial, particularly to Windows Mobile users. What is important is that they implement the idea well and, hopefully, improve on it. Fingers crossed...
I think you make good points. However, I have good arguments from MS on the reasons they do what they do. I think, like the pc, they are trying to focus on an OS that can target numerous types of devices allowing other companies to be thoughtful and unique in designs. HTC is a perfect example, in my opinion, of a company that has taken advantage of this.
As for the hardware, and someone correct me if I am exaggerating, but I know Microsoft does lots of internal testing for hardware designs. They relay the results to partners for everything from keyboard designs to full fledged devices. There is even a newer division (albeit a small one) that runs in a Google-esque fashion with designers allowed to be much more free in their ideas which are conveyed to partners. I think that is why you see in many cases similarities among hardware, not just that they copy ideas from each other but they actually take an initial offering/idea from Microsoft and transform it internally.
I think Microsoft focused far too long on Enterprise users, but this is an area Apple is definitely still challenged with as MobileMe runs into issues. Apple will definitely get there with MobileMe, just like Microsoft will get their with improving the UI and overall consumer experience with the device. Apple did a wonderful job on the interface end and Microsoft/Blackberry/Palm have had the enterprise end. Now you are seeing all of these companies filling in their gaps, Blackberry with the Bold and Thunder, Microsoft with Mobile 7 and HTCs new devices, and Palm... well... hopefully we will see them as contenders next year. Competition is a good thing.
"Competition is a good thing."
Yes when its a level playing field. When you have guaranteed revenue to continue funding your money losing products to wear down the competition.... thats a different story.
@This is apples market now>
I think your a perfect fit for being an Apple user.
Please simon don't lump me in with him as I am typing this from a iPhone with one hand as I am to busy getting laid by this is apples maeket"s girlfriend :-)
Any company can be ahead of the curve if they throw QA to the wind. I enjoy a few apple products myself, any geek would be a liar if they said they didn't dabble in Windows, Mac and Linux. The bottom line is though, not only do they fail on QA, they blame other companies for their fails (ms ipod virus, ATT 3G etc.). And while i figured you were being sarcastic, I just couldn't resist.
It is with no surprise that the master of "me too" M.O. MS would announce such a service. It's this very reason that whenever the word innovate is used by MS and it's "bend over and give it to me again no questions asked" users are the butt of all jokes. Blatently copying Apple again with no shame has always been rule number one at MS.
in other News MS Continues To lack innovation
I don't get it Apple Market man. Are you mocking iPhone users?
Once again a 'copy' is made of the iPhone, but only the surface features are duplicated while the design philosophy that produced those features is ignored.
Or, more likely, Microsoft doesn't understand that Apple's design philosophy is what matters:
http://www.learnucd.com/kevlar/why-is-the-iphone-popular
Great, now we will have Blue Screen Mobile :D
The thing is, the AppStore works because the iPhone has very robust built-in security (ok, when not jailbroken). WinMo apps are trivial to crack, and I don't know how many people really BUY the apps. I hate to say it, but they need some tpm in there to make this work for the developers.
How sad!
Just like everything else, companies look at the market leader and steal ideas instead of trying to come up with something truly innovative and useful.
Apple has had success with the app store, now Google and Microsoft will copy. Same thing with Game consoles. Microsoft had success with the marketplace and gamerscores, so now Sony has copied it.
Enough is enough. When are companies going to start becoming innovative again?????
No decoy, he was attempting to be funny.
Easy to miss, i know.
Actually Nokia have had an App Store type app for a long time (i.e. longer than Apple). It's called Download! and sorts apps into different categories. The only problem with it is that it's crap. It's slow to load, there is little or no information about what the applications do until you download them and it's poorly laid out.
Microsoft have typically left application distribution to third parties and one of those, Handango, have offered their InHand service for a few years now (again, longer than Apple). It is basically an App Store type application for WinMo that connects to Handango and allows you to purchase applications directly from your device. I've never tried it so I can't comment on whether it's any good or not.
What is this?!? An Engadget post actually admitting that Apple didnt invent something? Is that even possible?
@jakem
Interesting background, but that really sounds like the first phase of most Apple products' development ... find something that lots of other people are doing poorly and/or haphazardly, then make an extremely polished, idiot-proof version of it.
Okay, so obviously nobody at Microsoft did their market research. Skymarket already exists (http://www.skymarket.co.uk/) - they're a UK based ISP/web design/hosting company that have been around for a good few many years.
Sorry, Microsoft. Interesting idea, but the name has already been taken. Pick a new one, hey!
installer FTW. talk about apple copy cat.
Having tried Handango applet for both WinMo and Palm, I have to say it sucks. Search works miserably on it, and it basically is a way for them to push "featured apps" on you. The problem with apps on Win Mo is that they are basically uninstallable after you put them on. Palm programs work okay, but you are better off buying via a computer.
To uninstall an app in WinMo (basic process unchanged since Pocket PC 2002:
1. Click on Settings
2. Click on Remove Programs
3. Highlight app you want to remove
4. Click on Remove
....
5. Profit?
@ZSX
You fail to see the point of W Park. Look at all the steps you have to do for removing an application. Good luck if it doesn't hose your OS also. Now take your blindness and silly argument of (we did this back in BC) done it before, and see how your old way is so obsolete, its laughable by todays standards. Removing applications on the iPhone/Touch is the most intelligent, elegant way period. And for more people posting its been done in 2002 or so, give us a vid and show us how your old archaic way is so much more better that you can casually wave Apples way as irrelevant and ho hum in the industry.
Well, Jubei, I was merely replying to the assertion that Windows Mobile apps are "uninstallable", and not arguing about the ease with which they are uninstalled. To be honest I don't think it is all that challenging either, but diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks I guess! Chill - diversity is good for all of us.