Microsoft fleshes out Windows Mobile app plans

The company first revealed the service last month at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) conference in Barcelona.

Microsoft is hoping that the Marketplace will help the upcoming Windows Mobile 6.5 release remain competitive with the iPhone, Blackberry and Android platforms, each of which maintain their own online stores for third-party software.

"Microsoft's decades-long relationship with developers has led to some of the most exciting innovations the industry has seen," said Andy Lees, Microsoft's senior vice president of mobile communications.

"We will continue our successful collaboration with developers through Windows Marketplace for Mobile, which will provide a broad reach to customers."

Like Apple's iPhone AppStore, Microsoft will allow developers to charge for their software creations through the store for a 30 per cent fee. Developers will get to choose their own prices and will be paid 70 per cent of the applications revenues.

To secure a spot in the Windows Marketplace for Mobile service, developers will be required to pay a US$99 annual fee. That fee will allow the developer to place up to five applications up for sale on the service each year.

As with other services, the company will require each application be approved and certified by the company prior to sale.

The company said that it will release additional details to developers some time in the spring, with submission for new applications opening later in the summer.