First of all, I’m very hopeful that it will be a big success. Microsoft will be including it on all the new Windows Mobile 6.5 devices, as well as making it available for download on WM 6.0 and 6.1 units. I believe that’s the single most important factor in an app store’s success.

I’m very pleased to see that Microsoft is allowing developers to submit trial versions of their software to Marketplace. Letting users run demo versions of applications before they buy is not only important to them, but can also make a big difference in the quality of the apps available, and the price they sell for. I know that people don’t object to paying reasonable prices for software – we wouldn’t be here if they did. But I also know that it’s much harder for someone to pay for an application if they haven’t had the chance to try it first. Allowing trials in the Marketplace will undoubtedly help prevent the “race to the bottom” that plagues iTunes.

I know the Windows Mobile Marketplace won’t initially have the number of apps that iTunes does, but I don’t think that’s a problem, either as a developer or an end-user. As a developer, I’m frustrated by how hard it is for our apps to be seen among 75,000 apps; as a user, I’m frustrated by how hard it is to find what I’m looking for. Of course Microsoft needs enough apps to appeal to the wide variety of their users, and I hope the developer community will provide them. The ideal scenario would be that the Windows Mobile Marketplace gets the magic number that makes the store compelling without being overwhelming. I think there’s a good chance of that happening.

Like Apple, Microsoft is reviewing all apps submitted to the Windows Mobile Marketplace, and apps have to be approved before they’ll appear. And like with Apple, there have been problems in the review and approval process. The good news is that Microsoft is improving their process, and implementing changes suggested by developers. Once again, I’m optimistic. This doesn’t seem like the old Microsoft.

As Ellen wrote in her earlier post, mobile developers no longer have the problem of users not knowing they can buy software for their smartphones. Everyone knows “there’s an app for that”, and we’ve seen proof that users of every smartphone want apps for their phones. I think the Windows Mobile Marketplace button on the new Windows Mobile phones has the potential to get a lot of attention. And that will help us all.

If you aren’t familiar with the Total Access service, here is the official blurb from MS:

Total Access is your guide to all the things you can do with your Windows Mobile phone. Make your phone unique with free ringtones, games and themes, find helpful software and other extras that further enhance your phone, and get premium help and support from user forums, so it’s easier than ever to get more done on the go—that’s Total Access.

It’s a pretty cool service for Windows Mobile users. Definitely something you want to check out even if you already have NewsBreak (or RSSHub which is the HTC branded version of NewsBreak.) They have a ton of great stuff and are adding more all the time.

Read on for my two cents on the Marketplace!

Microsoft is doing a LOT that is right in their Marketplace. For instance, they are working directly with developers to create a model that benefits the customer, but not at the expense of the developer. This is going to encourage developers to support the system. The end result is a win win for the consumer.

They are also listening AND making changes based on what they hear. Throughout this process we’ve offered and been asked for our advice. Better yet, the advice doesn’t just disappear into a black hole – we see concrete, positive changes resulting from our discussions with Microsoft.

Finally, the testing process for applications is going to weed out a lot of junk. Microsoft really is striving to ensure that applications are the best they can be. The requirements for developers are clear cut, the testing is comprehensive, and the feedback is clear information the developer can use to improve his product and resubmit.

And they’re putting every bit as much effort into the front end for the store. I firmly believe that the Marketplace is going to be very successful, and I think Microsoft is going to help set both consumer and developer expectations for application stores going forward.