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Microsoft is all proud to announce the wide industry support for Windows Mobile 6.5 and Windows Marketplace for Mobile at the CTIA.
Among the companies that will offer its apps through Windows Marketplace for Mobile are such well known names as AccuWeather.com, The Associated Press, CNBC, Developer One Mobile Software, EA Mobile, Facebook, Gameloft, Glu Mobile, Handmark, Ilium Software, Jeyo, Kinoma, LiteScape, Magmic Games, Melodis, MySpace, Namco Networks, Netflix, Pandora, PhatWare, Resco, ShoZu, Sling Media, SBSH Mobile Software, Spb Software, Web Information Solutions and Zagat Survey.
Among the Windows Marketplace for Mobile’s features Microsoft is highlighting are:
- The ability to pay for applications with a credit card or have charges appear on a phone bill (like Nokia’s Ovi Store).
- Ability to return an app after purchase within 24 hours for a full refund.
- Like with Apple’s AppStore, developers will be able to deliver free updates to their applications.
- Mobile operators on their end will be able to have a branded section of the catalog, where they will be able to market their own apps and services to their customer base.
But it’s not just the app store details Microsoft wanted to share at the CTIA. The Redmond giant also announced a new partnerships with the Design Museum London and Council of Fashion Designers of America to offer a variety of free designer themes for Windows Mobile smartphone. Mizrahi is selected as the first in a series of designers to create exclusive themes, while other designers will be announced in the coming months.
Moreover, Microsoft unveiled the new, easy-to-use Theme Generator that will provide people with yet another way to personalize their device and which will be available later this year through windowsmobile.com.
Finally, to make Windows Mobile users more social than ever, they’ve announced new Facebook, MySpace and Windows Live applications. Facebook app will be released in April, MySpace during summer, while Windows Live app will be released tomorrow (April 2nd) in 25 languages. The company also will launch a new beta version of Windows Live Hotmail available through a mobile web browser.
There you have it. Tons of stuff from Microsoft which seem to burst with optimism. We’ll see how all that will play out…
About The Author
Dusan Belic
Dusan has been using smartphones since their introduction and is now following the latest trends in the industry. The "convergence" is what he's most excited about, and writing about it is the next logical thing to do. He thinks that using a smartphone is what everyone who cares about their time should do. In addition to his interests in mobile phones, Dusan also loves to experiment with the latest web and mobile 2.0 services. The idea of accessing and managing your information from any device no matter where you are simply amazes him. Whether it's an online to-do list, note taking service or a video sharing social network, he's there to try it out. He admits though, he's still searching for the ultimate web-based organizational tool, which "sings" perfectly with the mobile PIM application. Dusan used to run SymbianWatch.com which later became part of IntoMobile. He lives in Serbia, South-East Europe, from where he edits the site on a daily basis.
