Posted on 06-07-10 07:00 pm
With Windows Phone 7 coming to market later this year, Microsoft has released a new set of policies for Windows Phone Marketplace designed to be more customer and developer friendly.
Quote:
- Annual registration fee of $99
- No limit to the number of paid apps submitted 5 free apps per registration, $19.99 each after that
- Free registration to DreamSpark students (same unlimited paid and 5 free apps applies)
- A new optional push notification service to help developers stay engaged with customers
- A new optional Trial API - trials mean more customers try your app, and less likelihood that they return it. The length or type of trial is fully controlled by the developer
- The ability to publish to all available Marketplace markets through a new “worldwide distribution” option, allowing developers to pay once and distribute broadly
- Wider range of business models; free, paid, freemium and ad-funded
Equally important to many developers is what isn’t changing:
- A revenue share of 70/30
- Developers manage their business with Marketplace via the self service portal http://developer.windowsphone.com
- Payout takes place monthly for developers that have earned more than USD$200 worldwide
- Developers can make ad funded applications
- All applications go through a process of technical and content certification
- Marketplace offers support for credit card commerce, and where available mobile operator billing.
- Microsoft continues its practice of publishing policies, guidelines, and submission process details to developers so they understand exactly how marketplace works.
The full list of Windows Phone Marketplace policies is now available here.
It is interesting to point out the trial option, which will allow customers to try applications before they commit to buying them, increasing the amount of potential customers a developer has. It is also worth pointing out that Microsoft DreamSpark is pulled into effect, allowing students to make money off of applications without costing them any pocket money.
From the Windows Phone Developer Blog:
Bottom line – we have listened to developers and responded to changing customer behavior to make Marketplace an even better experience for all. We’re adding many of the new features you’ve asked for. For those considering developing for Windows Phone for the first time, we hope you see a fresh opportunity to create truly unique and exciting apps and games. For those who have already published apps to the Marketplace, we hope you find this new direction exciting.
How do you think these policies compare to the competition?
Source: Windows Phone Developer Blog