Kill switch and remote app deletion confirmed for apps sold in Windows Mobile app store

By on Sep 16, 2009 at 9:39 AM
Software September 16, 2009

wednesday-switch

We have a bit of troubling news from Windows world today as a developer in attendance at Microsoft’s Tech.Ed New Zealand has relayed some interesting tidbits. Regarding the “Windows Marketplace for Mobile” — Microsoft’s version of the Apple App Store — Microsoft has confirmed the existence of a ‘kill switch’ for apps. In the event an approved app is later removed from the Marketplace, the app will also automatically be removed from users’ handsets. We’re not sure what this means for paid apps, though we doubt refunds will be issued automatically as well. Microsoft isn’t the only company with this policy of course, but it’s a bit unsettling all the same. The bottom line is that this could spell bad news for users and developers alike, though we highly doubt Microsoft will rule over the Marketplace with an iron fist to the extent that Apple does. Let’s just hope that if and when Redmond does start killing apps, there’s a good reason for it. Hit the jump for more interesting tidbits from Tech.Ed as reported by The Unofficial Tech Ed Blog.

Thanks, Sean!

  • Revenue sharing is always 70/30 for developers. Even if an operator enters the mix, Microsoft will pay the operator share from their 30%.
  • It costs US$99 to enroll your first applications – up to five “slots”. Upgrades are free. New apps after this will cost US$99 each.
  • Changing an application from “free” to “paid” is not considered an upgrade.
  • Microsoft has a set of guidelines – applications have to follow these. For example applications that replace core functionality will be rejected. Mapping/routing applications will be rejected. Some applications may not be available in all markets.
  • The marketplace launches in 29 countries.
  • Developers are paid through EFT, currently currencies include US dollars, Japanese Yen, Euro, Australia dollars, British pounds.
  • If an application is approved but later removed from the marketplace it will then be automatically removed from all mobile devices.
  • The marketplace client software will show available updates and users can choose to install them when they want.
  • Software can be reinstalled and activated up to five times – for example if you lose your mobile device or change devices.
  • Developers are able to specify hardware requirements that will be checked before the software is purchased.
  • Even if an application is rejected from the marketplace it is still possible for developers to sell it through other channels.

[Via PPCGeeks]

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  • Loki

    lol jailbreak anyone? nah just messing.

    xda devs may get on this and find a way to disable the kill switch.

    if i was able to disable this in my iphone then wm should be no prob. as for the coding, i want to say that this will prob come in the update wm6.5 and not the apps

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Olympia North America

  • Dan

    “GPS apps are being rejected because Verizon will be the major carrier for WM devices in the future.”

    That would make sense, except Verizon Wireless’ stable of Blackberries with GPS (Storm and Tour) have plenty of GPS navigation and routing apps available on App World. So no dice.

  • alen

    RIM is special case since they develop their own software, phones and most of the data traffic runs through their data center and their data plans cost more.

    with Android and WinMo the carrier owns the phone because Google and MS supply the OS, asian commodity companies customize it and work with the carriers.

    Apple, Palm and RIM control their phones because they develop the entire phone and software

  • boydroid

    Droid rules!!!!!!

  • http://gallery.me.com/numetheus Christopher Cox

    @boydroid,
    LOL I have seen what Android is capable of and say no thanks. On the Android front I can make a little 2D helicopter fly up and down yay! I can play bejeweled yay! I can play jewellust! yay! And a number of simple games my Amiga could run! yay!

    On my iPhone 3Gs I can play Sandstorm! yay! Resident Evil 4! yay! Terminator Salvation! yay! And a slew of Playstation 1 quality games with awesome graphics! yay!

    I mean come on …. anyone who has ever used Android for entertainment knows it sucks compared to iPhone 3Gs.

  • http://gallery.me.com/numetheus Christopher Cox

    Does this really matter? You will still have software repository sites like pocketgear or handango to get software. Just because they introduce an online store does not mean things change and you have to stop using those sites and get everything from there. Get real. Just ignore the store and get your software the way you have been getting it for years if it bothers you so much. You all just want something to whine about.

  • http://gallery.me.com/numetheus Christopher Cox

    @alen,
    Every piece of software I have ever installed has the option of using socket mode connection as well as BIS. Really the only programs I have seen for BB that FORCE you to use BIS are the ones that come on the device … like the in-house BB browser and the integrated messages for email. Opera Mini and Gmail app both use socket and don’t require BIS. As a matter of fact you can take your SIM with a standard data plan and browse happily with Opera Mini and check mail with Gmail.

    You don’t HAVE to have BIS.

  • boydroid

    @cristopher…..haha…this is usually the time when I follow up with a smart ass comment,but since you decided to follow up everything you said with yay,I laughed so hard that I don’t know what to say….so go conform to apples rules…..besides your battery will be dead in 20 minutes…..droid rules!!!!!!!

  • http://gallery.me.com/numetheus Christopher Cox

    @boydroid,
    Yay! LOL. Me and this guy Josh used to always have a showdown with his new Android phone. As a normal phone doing normal smartphone things Android can hold its own. This is true. But as an entertainment device Android comes nowhere near iPhone. Nobody has ever showed me a good game for Droid that comes even close to lots of the ones we have on iPhone. Not … even … close. YAY!

  • http://gallery.me.com/numetheus Christopher Cox

    @boydroid,
    And … if I put my 3Gs down to Droid speed by turning off my 3G and going EDGE my battery lasts all day. With 3G on however, I am lucky to get through an entire work day with heavy usage and stereo bluetooth listening. But then again, my Case-Mate fuel ensures I keep going all day.

  • boydroid

    Dude seriously….I don’t care what kind of love letters you and josh send each other…..go pray to steve jobs……droid rules!!!!!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/numetheus Christopher Cox

    @boydroid,
    Show me one app. Just one entertainment app where stood comes close to matching an iPhone. Yes yes you all have the multitasking thing down and don’t have hitler running the show. But still. Lol.

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Phoenix Arizona, USA

  • http://www.facebook.com/numetheus Christopher Cox

    @Christopher Cox,
    Okay maybe physical keyboard too. LMAO. Meant Droid not Stood.

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Phoenix Arizona, USA

  • boydroid

    @hater….you can’t tell me nothing….I have a 3g iphone on att and its a little faster than my g1….3g att and tmobile aren’t that different…..I just honestly don’t like anything apple makes,can’t wait until my contract is up so I can turn this pos off…..they are the most overrated device ever created…..but they have obviously sucked you in,so whatever…..but the bottomline is……droid rules!!!!!!!

  • boydroid

    Gaming….don’t honestly do much…..honestly the only game I play is gallaga….so I guess you can win that part of the battle…..hold on I gotta send pic message….be right back…..haha…..droid rules!!!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/numetheus Christopher Cox

    @boydroid,
    I actually only like iPhone for it’s entertainment and web browsing. BlackBerry IMHO makes the best phone. No other platform can get me a message and replied faster than a BB. New message comes in, pop it out of holster and sensor auto takes you to message. Press r the. Type your reply … Done. On a BB it’s just whip it out and type. Anything else it’s whip it out, start app, go to message, then type reply, hit send. Or click view. Whatever. Bb is more convenient and makes a superior messaging device.

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Phoenix Arizona, USA

  • god

    @Cox

    stop being so defensive you iPhone fanboy

    let boydroid like what he wants to like instead of trying to convince him your (biased) opinion is correct

    p.s., nice sunglasses

  • http://gallery.me.com/numetheus Christopher Cox

    @god,
    I’m not really an iPhone fanboy. iPhone is best for games, entertainment, and web browsing only. Like I said before … BlackBerry is the superior overall smartphone (sucks at games and entertainment though). The only platform IMHO that truely sucks is Windows Mobile.

    Ps. Thanks. I love those sunglasses. Lol

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Phoenix Arizona, USA

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