Windows Marketplace Makes Changes

[Jon Westfall]

<p>Greetings from the Microsoft MVP Summit. Today I'm happy to write to you and tell you... absolutely nothing from Summit due to NDA! But I do have some interesting developments regarding Windows Mobile Marketplace which should make developers smile. These will all be rolling out over the next few days from Microsoft.</p><ul><li>The $10 fee to submit to additional marketplaces. The $99 fee is still applicable, but to submit to smaller market segments, the additional fee is now gone.</li><li>Registration flow for ISVs should be improved.</li><li>Users in Russia will now be able to access Marketplace.</li><li>Acceptance policy changes, including allowing VoIP applications unless specifically prohibited by the carrier.</li></ul><p>Hopefully this will help remedy a few Marketplace issues, and encourage its growth!</p>

[Fritzly]

"Acceptance policy changes, including allowing VoIP applications unless specifically prohibited by the carrier."
I am curious: what about people like me that only buy SIM Free phones? Theoretically we should see no restrictions whatsoever......

[Jon Westfall]

"Acceptance policy changes, including allowing VoIP applications unless specifically prohibited by the carrier."
I am curious: what about people like me that only buy SIM Free phones? Theoretically we should see no restrictions whatsoever......

I believe its marketplaces by carrier that you're currently connected with, not the carrier that sold the phone, so restrictions would probably apply to even unlocked devices.

[Fritzly]

I believe its marketplaces by carrier that you're currently connected with, not the carrier that sold the phone, so restrictions would probably apply to even unlocked devices.

I am confused: is not "Marketplace" belonging to MS?
Do you mean that if I use T-Mobile I will be able to buy only T-Mobile approved apps? I have a 3G iPhone, bought officially unlocked in Europe, and I can buy apps using Apple store regardless of the fact that, at the moment, I use it with T-Mobile and not AT&T.
And what if I connect using a foreign SIM; will I be locked out?
If these 7 series phones will have to rely to Carriers to obtain apps as soon as my HTC HD2 will become obsolete sure as hell MS will loose another customer........