Microsoft Windows Mobile Marketplace Restriction Leaked Out, Not Developer Friendly

Someone who is running a hacked version of the Windows Mobile 6.5 got a glimpse of the Marketplace. While exploring, he managed to take a quick look at the restriction in the Marketplace. More information after the break.

winmo-marketplace-leak

I don’t know if this information is already circulated but I find that if Microsoft is going into so many restrictions, marketplace will just become a marketplace where people take a look and go (and not buying anything). Over time, I believe it may be filled with non interesting software that are good but not appealing to the mass.

Recently, I went for a preview of the Windows Mobile 6.5 and was also introduced to Marketplace. There were many questions by developers and my personal question to Microsoft on that day is whether there is a cap on the pricing in Marketplace. I was quite surprised that the answer is “NO”.

In this case, you better be careful when downloading program from Marketplace. Credit card will be used on Marketplace. If you are like me who don’t like to log out from program, you may get into trouble if someone played around with Marketplace on your mobile  and start downloading applications.

Anyway, this post is on the Marketplace’s restriction. Below are some of them.

  • Apps that enable VoIP over mobile operator networks
  • Apps that sell, link to, or promote mobile voice plans
  • Apps that distribute alternate marketplaces for content types distributed through the Windows Marketplace
  • Apps with over the air download sizes of more than 10MB
  • Apps that run code outside of Microsoft runtimes
  • Apps that change the default browser, search client, or media player
See also  Marketplace Filling up with Xbox Live Games and Apps on Windows Phone 7

If you like to see the whole list, there is a PDF version for you to download.

Download the PDF file.

Note that this is just a hacked WM6.5 ROM which I understand from Microsoft that they are changing every time. So, nothing is confirmed here, even the restrictions. Please view it with an open mind. On a final note, Microsoft mentioned to us that they are not restricting any person from promoting their software products other than Marketplace. So, if you don’t like Marketplace, just go to your favorite website to download the apps.

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