Windows Mobile 6.5 users rejoice, you now have a better marketplace experience your way. Microsoft's added a couple updates to its mobile app store. On the developers' side of things there's a new portal for submission, and "more advanced anti-piracy protection" -- no clue if it solves those
DRM issues we heard about before, but sounds at least like a step in the right direction. For the consumers, there's now an online store that you can use from your certainly superior desktop / laptop browser. In the vein of Xbox Live Marketplace's online portal at Xbox.com, purchased apps from the browser will be sent to the connected phone next time you open up the
Windows Marketplace client... what's that? You want support for Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1? Microsoft reassures us it's coming later this month, so hang tight, okay?
posted Nov 12th 2009 12:10AM
I'm an iPhone user, and for whatever reason, I'm actually happy to see Windows Marketplace up and running. I think it looks really nice, actually.
But notice that the business category has only 17 apps. The Marketplace
can't be for business or even consumers given it has only 300 aps.
Comapre this to iPhone's App Store which has more than 100K apps.
You should be very happy being an iPhone user!
@ Monte Carlo, just because a limited amount of apps appears on the Market Place doesn't mean that totals the amount for apps currently available for WinMO.
There are far more useful programs on WinMO than the iPhone. The Marketplace needs to pick them quicker i guess.
Well, you bring up a valid point, Monte Carlo. But the problem is, I've discovered that sheer numbers don't tell the whole story. Don't get me wrong, there are some amazing apps out there for the iPhone/iPod touch, but the vast majority of that 100K number are pretty useless, unless you are in the 10-16 year old age range. With very few exceptions, most iPhone apps that are of any value are relatively expensive, and I believe that if you look at the total number of those, truly worthwhile, apps, it's much smaller than 100K.
Again, I'm quite happy with the iPhone, and I don't intend to switch just because something new comes out (although some of the new WinMo and Android sets look great), but the numbers and feats espoused by Apple regarding the 'greatness' of the app store are overly inflated.
Loving this new theory that somehow WinMo's meager selection of apps is magically full of "more useful" apps than the iPhone/iPod Touch's.
I searched for "Top Windows Mobile Apps" (I even Binged it) and all I got was:
- iPhone skins to make WinMo look like the iPhone OS (oh the irony)
- Alarm clocks
- A million RSS readers
- Several web browser (because apparently, IE Mobile sucks even more than the real IE)
- Audio and media players (WinMo also sucks at media playing it seems)
- A couple of Twitter/facebook/IM clients
- Translators, dictionaries, agendas
- Emulators (lmao)
Yeah... when it comes to apps WinMo sure's got the cream of the crop alright ROFL!
Ridley, you should know that many of those types of apps you have listed would also be in the iPhone/iPodT app catalogue if Apple didn't strike down any concept that they deem to "duplicate" functionality they've already given you. I guarantee someone out there can make a better browser than mobile safari, Apple's alarm clock, and maybe even the media player (although Apple does a pretty good job there), but all those proposals are shot down because Apple wants you to use THEIR programs. And as far as skins go, I think it's great that WinMo users can (legally) change the way the way their phone OS looks and feels without having to jailbreak and violate EULA. Now, why someone would want to skin their OS to make it look like the iPhone, I have no idea (because it's pretty boring), but you get the point.
@ridley182
At least, there are no fart apps.
There are obviously a lot of duplicate apps on the App store (I don't think anyone is denying that). You seem to be changing the subject though (it's ok however, I know it's frustrating for hypocrite WinMo fans). My response was mostly directed to Psy's laughable comment, and I quote "There are far more useful programs on WinMO than the iPhone."
Fact is, WinMo's app selection is full crap. What's even more shocking is that there are tons of crap apps despite the fact that it has far more limited selection than the iPhone. For every WinMo app I see out there, I see at least 20 or more (not to mention better) apps on the iPhone. Very sad really (for WinMo owners).
P.S. also, you don't really think anyone buys your "I am an iPhone owner, but..." story, or do you?
@umangs94
Looks like the joke's on you buddy ;)
http://www.1800pocketpc.com/2009/03/23/fart-machine-20-fart-application-for-windows-mobile.html
Ridley, I'm not asking anyone to 'buy' the fact that I'm an iPhone owner. I just am, and have been for over a year. As I said before, I like it alot. It has its shortcomings, but for the most part it gets me through the day and handles just about everything I need it to. I'm certainly not a WinMo fanboy; I don't even own a WinMo product. But I do think it's great to see competition out there in the form of 'App Marketplaces', etc. In the end, it just means the other companies will continue to work hard to come up with new, innovative ideas in order to maintain a customer base. I'd say that's about the only thing I'm trying to get people to 'buy'.
So Windows Mobile gets a Sims game and Android doesn't? *fumes*
That is the stupidest comment I have ever heard.. You are the biggest most ignorant idiot I have ever wasted 30 seconds of my life addressing..
If Melissa Gates has trouble replying to comments, then we know just how bad the comment system really is.
if you want to talk to yourself, do it some where else.
Microsoft, please consolidate your Mobile stores/marketplaces.
That's a shitty power.
there's already a fart app available.. i mean really?
on the other hand.. it's really nice having a handful of quality apps in an easy to use catalog
this ones for you microsoft
Wish granted.
@eric
I'm laughing, not because of your joke, but at your stupidity.
nothing sucks more then engadgets comment system. Is more annoying then million plus iphone users bragging about the 100k apps. We really dont need or care for fart apps theres an ass for that....
I'm happy for your accomplishments. Unfortunately, I have bigger goals, as i'm sure others do as well.
So keep your comments to yourself.
This was meant for eric, three posts above.
So far joshua, engadget's system still sucks
WinMo...
Yawn e_e ZzZzZzZzZ
Yeah, maybe if you're really good you'll get banned.
I bet they're client applications - the application is never actually installed; it's like a remote-login deal maybe.
But whatever; either way, why don't they just print directly to torrent seed?
So can you actually select the apps on the online marketplace on the pc and have it downloaded to your phone automatically? Doesn't seem to work now unless I'm missing something.
what a boatload of nonsense this store.
The consumer smart phone market continues realigning itself to the business smart phone market's preference for highly integrated software/hardware solution phones. To that extent, Blackberries long ago dethroned WinMo phones from dominating in business and now the iPhone has done the same in the consumer market.
This two-pronged approach is leaving WinMo somewhere in the middle but the massive momentum of preference that Android is having with 3rd party phone manufacturers is pushing WinMo out of the market completely. In fact, Motorola and Palm now produce zero WinMo phones. #1 WinMo producer HTC is dropping WinMo output by 30%. Second largest phone maker Samsung is dropping WinMo productions to just 20% and eventually nothing as they switch to their own Bada platform.
WinMo 7 nor little me-too stores are not going to convince manufacturers nor consumers to change their minds into going back to WinMo. It's a dead platform.
anti-piracy? WGA mobile version?
Once again microsoft reacts like a lumbering dinosaur in a fast changing market.
gosh the amount of ignorant comments for this topic.. see at the end of the day, as soon as Microsoft comes out with WinMo 7.. you'll see a massive change in the market focus.. WinMo 7 will be one of the top runners in mobile OS's for sure.. and really happy to see the marketplace up and running - and I use an iPhone btw..
Marketplace is already available on WM6.1. Head over to XDA-Developers to find the install cab.
I'm not too impressed with it. Better than nothing though. If only MS knew the amount of cash they could rake in if they integrated all their marketplaces into one giant cross platform feast. Eh, it'll never happen.
Marketplace is live and kicking. It has a few anti-piracy issues and its still not completely secured. Microsoft is still working on that, but apart from all this the marketplace offers some cool apps for winmo 6.5 users.