Microsoft Launches Windows Mobile Software Store

Microsoft may be getting into the mobile "app store" market, joining Apple and Google.

If recent job postings are accurate, Microsoft could launch an application store called Skymarket for its Windows Mobile platform this fall.

According to an ad posted Sunday on Computerjob.com, the senior product manager for Skymarket will lead a team "to deliver marketplace services for Windows Mobile," with responsibilities including:

- Making the Windows Mobile marketplace a destination for developers to distribute Windows Mobile applications and make money from their Windows Mobile applications by defining product offering, pricing, business models, and policies.

- Defining roles and responsibilities in business models and key elements to ensure the best possible experience for developers leveraging Microsoft services to make money.

- Partnering cross-team to prepare product launches to developer audiences this fall.

- Partnering cross-team to ensure all stakeholder readiness for the launch of Windows Mobile marketplace services.

A Microsoft representative declined to comment.

Windows Mobile is a software operating system for smartphones. Smartphones, which have email, Web surfing, music and other Internet-service capabilities, are becoming increasingly popular. According to NPD, they accounted for 17 percent of U.S. cell phone sales in the first quarter, up 10 percentage points from a year ago.

Microsoft has been trying to capitalize on the growing demand for smartphones. Earlier this year, it released version 6.1 of its mobile operating system, which includes an upgraded browser that makes the mobile Web-surfing experience comparable to what people get on their computers.

Even though Microsoft expects strong growth for Windows Mobile 6.1, it still faces tough competition and will find it difficult to gain market share as the competitive landscape intensifies.

Apple's App Store, launched alongside the new iPhone, has been a huge success, raking in $30 million in its first month alone. And phones using Google's Android operating system are due out soon.

Source: CNET