The first rule of Windows Marketplace for Mobile is that you don't subvert Windows Marketplace for Mobile
By Tim Stevens 
posted May 5th 2009 7:44AM
posted May 5th 2009 7:44AM
Up until now, Microsoft has taken a rather laissez faire attitude toward application development -- anyone with a copy of Visual Studio and half an ounce of coding know-how could whip up and share whatever little programs they want. That won't be the case inside Windows Marketplace for Mobile, Microsoft's answer to the App Store, and the company is now listing a number of guidelines that devs must follow for the fruits of their labor to be included. Top on the prohibited list? Apps that themselves sell other apps. Second rule of the Marketplace? No apps that link to apps that sell other apps. Also banned is VoIP over cellular networks, apps that run non-managed code (i.e. don't stay inside the sandbox MS has set up), anything that distributes a user's information, and downloads that are bigger than 10MB. Not mentioned? Anything to do with naughty content, meaning purveyors of explicit executables might not have to make concessions. Full list of 12 commandments after the break.Update: In case you didn't figure it out for yourself, Arnoud from Tweakers.net wrote in with confirmation that the no-VOIP rule is in place at the request of the providers.
[Warning: PDF read link]
- Applications that are or distribute alternate marketplaces for content types (applications, games, themes etc.) that are sold or otherwise distributed through Windows® Marketplace for Mobile.
- Applications that link to, incent users to download, or otherwise promote alternate marketplaces for content types that are sold or otherwise distributed through Windows Marketplace for Mobile.
- Applications that promote or link users to a website, or contain functionality within the application itself, which encourages or requires the user to purchase or pay to upgrade the application outside of Windows® Marketplace for Mobile.
- Applications that enable VoIP (Voice over IP) services over a mobile operator network.
- Applications that sell, link to, or otherwise promote mobile voice plans.
- Applications that display advertising that does not meet the Microsoft Advertising Creative Acceptance Policy Guide http://advertising.microsoft.com/creative-specs.
- Applications that replace, remove or modify the default dialer, SMS, or MMS interface.
- Applications that change the default browser, search client, or media player on the device.
- Applications with an OTA (over the air) download >10 MB.
- Applications that run code outside Microsoft runtimes (native, managed, and widgets)
- Applications that publish a user's location information to any other person without first having received the user's express permission (opt-in) to do so, and that do not provide the user a means of opting out of having their location information published.
- Applications that publish a user's data from their mobile device to any other person without first having received the user's express permission (opt-in) to do so, and that do not provide the user a means of opting out of having their data published. A "user's data" includes, without limit, contacts, photos, SMS or other text communication, browsing history, location information, and other data either stored on the mobile device or stored in the "cloud" but accessible from the mobile device
If Trent Reznor was truly offended by Apple's practice, he would just refuse to make the iPhone app until Apple changed their tune, or just make it available for jailbroken phones, and screw the squares who don't have the balls to jailbreak.
That would be the principled thing to do.
Besides, if NiN were smart, they'd design a mobile version of the site that would work with any device, instead of restricting themselves to the trendy iPhone.
Unfortunately, most people who aren't paying attenting are under the false impression that the iPhone has anywhere the same marketshare in the phone space as the iPod has in the PMP space.
I was surprised you guys seemed to think explicit material isn't banned.
I followed up on the document in #6 and like I expected, it actually specifically delineates "risque or racy content," "inappropriate content, eg. language, violence" and other things they find undesirable as falling under the possibility that they "may be removed without notice."
Having said that, 6 DOES apply literally to the advertisements, not the content itself... so maybe there's a loophole?
Shocking..Microsoft is setting rules for their app store...they will prohibit some things?? Amazing, I guess all the predecessors that did this aren't such bad companies after all for setting some rules...
It is called business folks, rules are required.
The big difference is that with WinMo, the Marketplace isn't the only avenue for distribution without any sort of hacking of your phone.
If Apple allowed outside distribution, the term jailbreaking wouldn't need to exist.
Hm- no alternate SMS or dialer apps? That's a shame... also, the thing about default browsers, hopefully that still means they'll allow alternate browsers into the Marketplace, just as long as they don't set themselves as default.
Though as long as there are still non-MS controlled paths for apps to be installed I suppose I really don't care what kind of restriction MS puts on the Marketplace.
Unlike Apple they'd probably get slapped with an anti-trust suit if they didn't offer competing browsers in their app store.
I'd seriously like to know why there is no action against Apple for not allowing any other browsers to be installed on the iphone. Guess what, Safari can't be uninstalled either. Go ahead and try to uninstall Safari, see what happens.
No those "browsers" in the app store aren't "browsers", they're basically just skins for Safari.
@inksy You know you could search the itunes store and find out there are about 15 different browsers for the iphone, All webkit based but they are there. Or you could go on thinking that you are right and not finding out any real facts, and instead just opining your uninformed face off. Good luck.
Eh, are there really antitrust concerns? I mean, Apple doesn't get antitrust concerns on the desktop because Mac OS X doesn't have a monopolistic share of the OS market, while Microsoft does... I don't think you can really argue that WinMo has a monopolistic share of the smartphone OS market. There are no monopolies in the smartphone industry, so one would think antitrust concerns would be very limited.
@Dillinger
You do realize all those "browsers" are still Safari? Go ahead and download one of those "browsers" you'll see that Safari is running. These "browsers" are nothing but a skin for Safari. They use the same Webkit code that Safari uses. You may think you're using a different "browser" but you're not
People you can still download a VOIP app, just dont install from your phone, install it from your comp. cause WiMO is essentially winodows but mobile. so that means you can download all the apps manually and still not go through any jailbreak crap.
Oh, you can still download and install from your phone, no computer needed. Just don't go through Marketplace...
but I hear ya. :)
Do you also realize that you CAN still use VoIP programs. They can be installed and posted on Windows Marketplace.. they would just be WiFi Only.
WinMo is trying to go Mainstream. Number 2... the average user will still use the Marketplace. But if you are going to have Microsoft, host, promote, and offer bandwidth for your program, They as publusher need to set the rules and have to play nice in ways an indie can't. But an indie has to promote, and host their apps themselves.
When that comment gets deleted you're indeed going to look awfully weird.
This is typical Microsoft, they're figuring out how to screw up their knockoff version of an Apple innovation. Two years later they release a product that's worse than the one Apple came out with two years ago. Have you even seen the screenshots? It looks awful! They're never going to take a hint and update their dated OS look. This company is just going to fade away just like it did out of pop culture.
The App Store is not even an year old yet....and MS isn't going anywhere for a while. What with all the positive buzz Windows 7 has, the 30% market share of the X360 and probably 100% market share of MS Office. Not to mention that the Zune store is right behind iTunes and Amazon, and what ever else they have dipped their toes in.
Those "ugly screenshots" you mention are the result of a custom theme the person had on his phone...but then again custom theme is a foreign concept for anything Apple.
Uh, what "Apple Innovation" are you referring to? The App Store? HAHAHA, there have been App Stores for mobile devices long before Apples. Maybe you mean the "innovation" of forcing people to use a single App Store if they want to install anything legitimately. As a capitalist, it was a brilliant idea I will agree, but this is a tech blog and restricting stuff like that sucks.
@Dorf
"Uh, what "Apple Innovation" are you referring to? The App Store? HAHAHA, there have been App Stores for mobile devices long before Apples."
Prove it. Shows us links with images that shows your reference of a pre-existing App store that Apple COPIED from. Since you are dismissing the Apple App store as innovative, you need to prove that Apple COPIED an existing App Store.
Show us that it looks and works exactly as the Apple App Store.
We await your answer.
Handango has had an "app store" for years now. I think since PPC2003
Handango has had an "app store" for years now. I think since PPC2003
Jubei,
Jesus, are you too stupid to look it up yourself? Handango was one. Hell, Verizon dumb phones have had a stupid little app store/ring tone thing on their phones for years.
Selling a device and locking it down so you can not install anything you want, from any location may be good for the bottom line, but hardly innovative.
There goes Jubei's double standards again.
He can sit there an say Microsoft is copying Apple just simply on the principal of the product or whatever, even though they're not identical... However, even though there have been app stores for quite some time, they must be absolutely identical, otherwise it's Apple innovated and designed. Because, you see, without Apple, there would be no such thing as an app store... Hell, if Apple didn't exist right now, we would be like, "app store? WTF is that?!" Jubei. Get a God damned life.
@Dorf
As I suspect, you proved nothing. As a former Palm & Visor user, your weak argument is laughable. The Apple App store is innovation at its finest. So much so that everyone is copying it. If you still want to prove you point, show me the proof. You can't because it doesn't exist. In other words you FAILED!!! LOL... too easy.
No, Apple copied all other online stores that sold apps for phones and portable devices. Simple as that. The whole idea of the "App Store" is a copy. So in other words, Jubei, you FAILED. LOLOLOLLOLOL TOO EASY HAHAHAHA!
@Mr Clickerson > Banned Zeus God = Massive FAIL! Yeah that was easy. Hahaha
Yet you and your cohorts still have not provided proof of your claims. Again... FAIL!!!! LOL
Someone should make an app that makes Steve Ballmer jump around and dance like a cracked-out gorilla. Is that banned?
I just hope we won't have to 'Jailbreak' WinMo phones to install applications which make sense.
I like the idea of the app store because it sucks sometimes to have to search these random websites to try to find an app I want. That really is the only appeal of the iphone for me but the price is too much to jump on the bandwagon. The major problem I see is that there are so many different smartphones with so many different hardware set ups that one app for all might not be possible
First of all, Microsoft needs to change the name of this "me too" endeavor. Calling it Marketplace sounds like some kind of food mart, or some kind of mediaeval marketplace. Users are looking to purchase applications "apps" not bananas, coconuts or mangos. Even when naming a product Microsoft fails.
Meh, "Marketplace" sounds better than "App World" in my book.
I was wondering where you were at.
You're reaching.
They already use the term "marketplace" for the 360 and the Zune without creating any confusion, so why wouldn't they use it for Mobile? A "marketplace" is simply a place, whether physical or digital, that things are bought and sold. I'm not sure why you think the term has medieval connotations or that it's exclusively linked to grocery stores. A user would have to be irredeemably stupid to make that mistake when using the "marketplace" on their phone.
Your material sucks.
Boo this man!
I think Jubei is just hungry. God knows he needs a lot of food to feed his fat ass...
Microsoft should follow Google's model - let people put out anything they want; just use a back-door to do a mass erase if anything gets naughty.
The prohibition on apps advertising other apps is a bad idea. Any developers creating a "lite" version of a program won't be able to upsell users to a full edition with this from within a program. One guy wrote a game for the iPhone App Store which went to #1 in popularity because he did this sort of cross-marketing.
As long as Microsoft only has eyes for the business market, with rules like this, they'll lose out on a lot of developers.
10MB? iPhone's Myst port is 650MB itself! lol
Points one and three make NO SENSE.
#1: Applications that are or distribute alternate marketplaces for content types (applications, games, themes etc.) that are sold or otherwise distributed through Windows® Marketplace for Mobile.
Erm...so if you are the first to create a pdf reading app, no one else is allowed to put one on the MS MP? WTF? Same for any doc, txt jpg reader displayer. This is idiotic; forces monopoly for first to market....it's insane.
#3 Applications that promote or link users to a website, or contain functionality within the application itself, which encourages or requires the user to purchase or pay to upgrade the application outside of Windows® Marketplace for Mobile.
So, if you put your app/game on MS MP, you can't sell it on the game's website if you have a link (for support reasons or promoting your other apps) in the app/game's splashscreen/info/about page. IOW: MS MP will be your only POS if you don't want to write two websites for your apps/games.
This one actually has some kind of twisted, sick, strange logic to it...but it's a bearer of much hassle.
MS MP is kinda like the Wii friendscodes thing: 'they' just don't get what they're trying to achieve; they don't get the space they're entering!
You completely misunderstood both of those points.
#1 is saying that a developer cannot distribute a separate "app store" on Microsoft's Marketplace. For example, on my phone is Handmark's PocketExpress, which is an app store. Handmark wouldn't be allowed to host this application on the Marketplace, but the individual applications that PocketExpress serves could each be hosted on Microsoft's Marketplace as long as they met the other stipulations. This rule has nothing to do with standalone applications, just applications that act as a service for distributing other applications.
#3 has a couple of purposes. One is about keeping the apps hosted on the Marketplace from having a backdoor to violate the other rules. For example, none of these rules disallow a VoIP app that utilizes WiFi only, but if a WiFi VoIP app had a link to a website outside of the Marketplace, on this external website they could sell an upgraded version that also uses the carrier's network, which isn't allowed for apps hosted on the Marketplace. By stating this rule, they establish that developers who would otherwise try to make use of this loophole will have their apps pulled.
Another purpose of rule #3 has to do with keeping the Marketplace a cohesive environment. By requiring upgrades to existing Marketplace applications to only be hosted and sold on the Marketplace, they can ensure that it is easier for users to manage their app library (i.e. not requiring them to dig around on the internet for upgrades) and that the upgraded versions of apps continue to meet Microsoft's rules and standards.
These rules make a lot of sense, especially considering they aren't disabling the ability to get applications from the sources we WinMo users already utilize. If Microsoft does take away that ability I'd be very upset, but I wouldn't expect that to happen since one of the major appeals of WinMo is it's flexibility in the app space.
Microsoft's doesn't have one yet, and third parties suck. Anyone with a sense of *style* knows that third party App Stores look like shady litterboxes in comparison to Apple's App Store.
The Apple innovation is that it works, and works really well. Yes there have been App Stores long before Apple's, the difference? Grandma can use it, a gym trainer can use it, a scientist can use it, and its fricken popular as hell. Now go back to your Zune tattooed fat ass, unfashionable and barely usable 'hack'.
Anyone with a sense of *style*
ooooooooOOOOOOOOOooooooo!
Let's come back in 8 months and see if this MS Marketplace store has sold a billion Apps like Apple did.
And the second rule of Windows Marketplace is, don't point out the white elephants in the room, which are the echoes of all those complaints people had against Apple's App Store (yes, that's right, they're aural elephants).
Many people have already come here to defend their hypocrisy, saying that this is completely different because you can install apps from other sources as well. Please, what ridiculous sophistry.
We're not talking about other sources. We're talking about the rules for official marketplaces. That's it! And once you accept that fact, it becomes obvious that much of the earlier criticism against Apple was unjustified because (as a few tried to explain at the time) these were rules that *any* official marketplace would have to adopt.
Those few were shouted down and low-ranked at the time, but they have been completely vindicated today. And hypocrites, you just keep on saying that it is completely different. Go on! You're only making yourself look stupid.
Just for once I want to see someone make (and sell me) a cellphone where the manufacturer ISN'T beholden to the carriers.
Oh and make one with a physical keypad/keyboard please (which rules out OpenMoko which has none)