Microsoft has opened its Windows Marketplace for Mobile on July 27, 2009. It has also launched a Race to Market Challenge contest inviting submissions from mobile software developers.
The Windows Marketplace is the latest app store for mobile phones following Apple’s App store, BlackBerry App world and Nokia’s Ovi store.
Todd Brix, senior director for mobile platform services product management at Microsoft, wrote in a blog post, that the registered developers in 29 countries can upload their applications, games or widgets to the Windows Marketplace platform and Microsoft will certify those apps according to its guidelines.
The process of certification would be carried out in 10 business days, and if an application doesn’t pass one or more tests or checks, a detailed explanation as to why program was not accepted will be given, according to Brix.
Brix added: “Our strategy for all of this is pretty straightforward; we want to create a global marketplace for Windows Phones where developers and users meet to sell and buy high quality and high value applications that make work easier and life more fulfilling.”
Reportedly, there will be four categories on which the application will be judged, most downloads of a free app, most valuable app (downloads x price), most useful (as judged by Microsoft panel) and most playful app (as judged by Microsoft panel).
