News
Microsoft to launch mobile 'App Store'?
Stuart O'Brien Sep 1 2008, 1:57pm
Software giant joins Google in race to steal Apple's thunder with autumn store launch.
Microsoft is advertising for a senior product manager for something called Skymarket, described in the job spec as "v1 marketplace service for Windows Mobile".
The role will encompass "preparation and driving the cross group collaboration for the initial launch of the marketplace offering to the developer community this fall."
Microsoft's ad suggests that it's pushing ahead with plans for a Windows Mobile software download store in light of the success of Apple's iPhone App Store and the recently announced Android Market from Google.
There are already about 18,000 third-party apps available for Windows Mobile devices, far in excess of iPhone App Store's couple of thousand.
To date these have been available through a variety of channels, ranging from mobile operator portals to online stores like Handago etc.
However, it now seems Microsoft feels the need to have a central hub from which to showcase what's available.
The ad is also noticeable for its reference to a launch of Windows Mobile 7, which was originally due to appear much later next year.
