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RIM opens BlackBerry 10 app submissions
Any BlackBerry 10 developers sufficiently entranced by their Dev Alpha units can now make good on the work they've accomplished so far. As promised, RIM is accepting app submissions for the platform ahead of its launch early next year. Fast-acting teams who jump in today should see their titles at the front of the queue when BlackBerry App World starts supporting the modern platform. They'll have to focus on full-touch hardware rather than mixed QWERTY and touch devices, however. There's no guarantee that RIM will see a flood of apps after opening its doors, but the company reminds us that there's incentives to move quickly -- 10,000 incentives, in fact.
Microsoft opens Windows Store app submissions to individuals, welcomes devs from 82 new markets
The march to the launch of Windows 8 soldiers on, as Microsoft has now opened the Windows Store for submissions from individuals in anticipation of the grand OS launch on October 26th. Previously, only those with company accounts were able to submit their applications for consideration in the Windows Store. The big news doesn't end there, however, as Microsoft has also added 82 new markets for app submission, which means that in total, developers from 120 markets may now publish their applications to the Windows Store. In additional news, Microsoft has also revealed that many MSDN subscribers will receive a free, one-year developer account to the Windows Store -- eligible subscription levels include Visual Studio Professional, Test Professional, Premium, Ultimate, and BizSpark. Similarly, students that take part in Microsoft's DreamSpark program will have their subscription fees waived. As it stands, both Windows 8 apps and traditional applications may be submitted for inclusion in the Windows Store, however in the case of applications for the desktop environment, purchasers will be re-routed to individual developer sites to make their purchase and grab the download.
Microsoft resumes publishing Windows Phone apps, all is right with the world
Everybody, you can stop panicking. Microsoft has solved the digital signing problem that prevented app installations on older Windows Phones, as promised, and the flow of new apps is back to a steady stream. It may take a day or two before new titles show up in earnest; developers whose work was in caught in submission stage limbo won't have to restart the process from scratch, however. The quick turnaround is no doubt good news for developers. We'd argue that it's equally good news for Microsoft, too -- there's no doubt that the crew in Redmond would rather not have to explain any lengthy publishing outages while it's onstage with Nokia next month.
Microsoft bans use of Metro name in Windows Store apps (Update: May not be banned after all)
If Microsoft can't use the Metro name, no one else can. Not in its company-owned Windows Store, at least. An update to the Windows 8 app criteria guide explicitly tells developers that any submitted Windows Store app with Metro in the title will "fail certification" -- effectively, it's banned. There's a certain irony to the aggressive stance on naming when Microsoft itself still mentions Metro prominently across many of its pages, but the restriction isn't a laughing matter for developers already trying to support an OS that doesn't ship for another two months. One of the most popular apps in the pre-release Windows Store, MetroTwit, likely faces imminent exile without a name change; there's also worries that mass transit apps might get the boot for entirely innocuous uses of the word. We've reached out to Microsoft for comment on its legal rights in the area. In the meantime, it's safe to say that "metro" is only to be spoken in hushed tones anywhere near Microsoft's official content portals. Update: Word from WPCentral is that the language restricting developers from using the Metro name wasn't a new addition to the Windows 8 app criteria guide. Turns out, it was an older error that has since been removed. Rejoice, developers! It appears that the word is not off limits. We've reached out to Microsoft for confirmation and will update when we hear back.
Microsoft gives Windows 8 developers a head start on Windows Store app submissions
If you've been jonesing to get your app into the Windows Store and don't want to compete for attention with the developing masses when Windows 8 ships, Microsoft might just have your ticket to the front of the line. Developer Evangelist Matt Harrington is offering a fast track for developers that write a "great" app, contact him through his blog and meet all the app submission conditions needed to get Microsoft's rubber stamp. Along with receiving a token to enter the store well ahead of most others, those privileged few who clear the hurdles can get help from a Microsoft engineer to give their Windows 8 apps that extra polish. When the development floodgates open to everyone is still an unknown, although a handful of workshops between May 11 and June 8 should give app writers an edge in getting started.
Microsoft guide explains how to submit apps to the Windows Store (video)
Microsoft is serious about Windows 8, and if you're serious about submitting Metro-style apps then there's now a healthily long and detailed blog post (at the source link) explaining how. The post suggests that Redmond's app police are looking at a roughly a six-day turnaround for signing off and publishing the average title, with content compliance taking the longest time because it involves "real people." As the real person in the video after the break makes clear, your first goal should be to reserve your app's name so no one else can take it. (You do have a name for it, right?)
Marketplace reaches 19 new countries, begins countdown for Mango app submission
Fans of Windows Phone have a reason to celebrate around the globe, as the Marketplace just added 19 additional countries to the fold. Users in Brazil, India, Japan, Russia, and South Korea are among those who can begin populating their phones with new apps, but this also means Microsoft has a long way to go before covering its entire user base. Fortunately, the Marketplace itself should receive a much needed shot in the arm because Redmond is now accepting submissions from seven more nations. While China hasn't made the "approved" list, Microsoft insists it's working to change this by early autumn. Developers who want more coin will need to enable access for these new countries in the App Hub, and if you've been working on readying your application for Mango, the company suggests it will begin accepting submissions one month from now. Curious which places made the Who's Who list? You'll find a complete list of nations with access to the Marketplace just past the break. Check it out, will ya?
Microsoft ending WinMo 6.x app submissions to focus on newfound love of tropical fruit
While Microsoft has been singing the praises of the latest version of Windows Phone, it's also been making quiet funeral arrangements for the operating system's predecessor, letting developers know via e-mail last week that it will be be shuttering Windows Mobile 6.x app submissions this summer. As of July 15th, the company will no longer accept new apps or updates to older ones, including pricing and metadata -- not a shocking turn of events, given the software giant's current love affair with WP7. Despite the deadline, however, users will still be able to download the soon to be neglected apps, stats will still be tallied, and developers will still get paid for their work. And don't feel too bad for Windows Mobile -- we're sure its old pals Zune and Clippy have been holding a spot for it on the other side of the pearly gates.
BlackBerry PlayBook app submission is a go, free tablet offer detailed
Adobe Air veteran: print out that code, fold it neatly into a secure envelope, affix two (or more) stamps, address it to Research in Motion, drop it in the nearest outgoing, and rejoice! The Haus of BlackBerry's now accepting app submissions for the upcoming Will.I.Approved PlayBook tablet -- and just as promised, it's giving free PlayBooks to developers who get their work accepted and ready for the App World store before the tablet launches in North America. Limit is one per registered dev no matter how many times you submit or how simple / complex the app is, so long as RIM gives it the thumbs up. Interested in the grand prize of full acquisition? Sorry, that seat's been taken.
Windows Phone 7 app submissions are a go, now for everyone
Though already open for early registrants, as of this week Microsoft has unbarred the floodgates for Windows Phone 7 app submissions from all developers. Full details and instructions can be found at the official App Hub, but if you're just curious about the experience overall, WP7 dev Adam Nathan -- who's reportedly submitted 30 through the system already -- outlines what he sees is the good, bad, and ugly of the process (literally). Face it, if you ever want to see your app on the Venue Pro, this is the gateway you must pass.
iPhone OS 3.0's parental controls to assuage some app submission woes?
Here's something that should help Trent reach a level of moderate contentment. Although we already knew that Apple was expanding its parental controls with iPhone OS 3.0 into the realm of TV shows, movies and App Store apps, a report today about the rejection of Makayama's Newspaper(s) app provides a good example at the ramifications of such alterations. According to iLounge, it was rejected due to a picture of a topless woman under the section for UK-based tabloid The Sun. The accompanying letter suggested a resubmission once 3.0 (and subsequently the parental controls) go public, which we take to mean that the questionable content will suddenly be okay for the App Store once it's behind the appropriate age gate. We won't know for sure until everything falls into place, but sounds like this is one part of the submission approval process that'll soon end up much less frustrating for developers. [Via 9 to 5 Mac]
