Microsoft clarifies Windows Marketplace for Mobile kill switch

By on Sep 18, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Software September 18, 2009

Good news, future Windows Phone owners — Microsoft has further clarified its position on the app kill switch tied to Windows Mobile 6.5 we reported earlier this week. Apparently it’s not as bad as everyone thought. In short, the remote deletion of apps from users’ handsets will supposedly only occur in the event an app goes haywire:

In the vast majority of instances where an application is removed from Windows Marketplace for Mobile, users of this application will continue to be able to use these applications on their phones. In the rare event an application from Marketplace exhibits harmful behavior or has unforeseen effects, Marketplace has the capability to remotely uninstall these applications. While we hope to avoid this scenario, we will make refunds available in such cases.

So in the end — assuming Microsoft holds true to its statement — the Marketplace for Mobile kill switch shouldn’t have any negative impact on users. Of course “unforeseen effects” leaves a bit of room for interpretation, but Redmond’s vow to issue refunds in the event an app is remotely uninstalled should help everyone feel all warm and fuzzy again. Satisfied, WinMo fans?

Read

Tags:
, , , , , , , ,
11 Comments

Related Articles

  • Genjinaro

    Yeah… Everything is starting to look a little friendlier than Apple’s App Store policy/ tactics nowadays.

  • JimSprint

    How do I get to the WindowsMobile App store?

  • Chris

    I think the issue to be concerned about is not Microsoft removing apps from your phone by their own decision, but the fact that it has the ability to do it. All it would take is a legal judgment saying that for some reason an application needs to be removed from the market. Since Microsoft has the ability to reach out and remove those apps from your phone, they could be compelled to do it regardless of whether they want to or not.

  • p.mcgee

    i lIke WInDOws n I THiNk THEy r kEwL n i TrUSt THeM a LOt. SO i ThInk ThEY r BEtTeR tHaN THe IphOne EVen THouGh THaTs a KEwl FoNe. w00t w00t

  • alen

    everyone is going to do this because not being able to make a cell phone call due to someone using too much bandwidth is grounds for a lawsuit.

  • Loki

    thats right you guys go ahead and believe microsoft. i dont trust either (apple or microsoft) as far as i can throw them.

    They will use that statement to calm people down and win them over.

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

  • Jay N95 owner!

    Good point about the legal issue, I mean if theres a recall on a product that’s in your private home no company has the right to go in your home and remove the product. That’s why recalls are announced on the news. Same thing with car recalls car makers don’t TAKE your car away.

  • Justin

    We’ll see. I trust Microsoft more than comrade apple.

  • BoogerEater

    Wednesday Addams is hot, why cover her face?!?

  • Rosario

    My only question is when will Marketplace be up? Thats all I care about right now.

  • http://limitededitioniphone.com Alan

    Oh whatever. MS is a POS company. Their stupid killswitch is exactly the same as Apples. (I have my iPhone’s switch off). MS copies everything Apple does and gives it a crappy name and crappy UI.

    Only difference is that MS is a bigger company that steals stuff from Apple, but no one sues them because they have huge amounts of cash and they get away with whatever the hwll they want.

    Just look at all of the anti-trust lawsuits. MS just writes a big fat check and everything goes back to normal.

    iPhone all the way! Screw MS and their gay sh*t!

blog comments powered by Disqus