Windows Phone Mango: Final Tools on the Way, Web Marketplace Opens
Microsoft launched a Web version of its Windows Phone Marketplace on Tuesday as mobile operators started a phased rollout of the first major Windows Phone 7.5 software update for customers.
"Watch for another blog post tomorrow from Cliff Simpkins with an update on the SDK and developer builds of Windows Phone 7.5," advised Todd Brix, senior director of Windows Phone Marketplace, in a Windows Phone Developer blog post on Tuesday.
If you count the initial Windows Phone 7 release and the minor "NoDo" software update, we are unofficially at "version 3." And that's good news because from most accounts, Windows Phone 7.5 "Mango" offers competitive smartphone features. This release could finally create some traction for Windows Phone and its 30,000 plus apps.
Last month Microsoft started to test and certify Windows Phone 7.5 apps/updates. At that time, the company indicated plans to freeze Windows Phone 7.0 apps (no more updates) as soon as the "Mango" versions of the applications were published.
The immediate transition from 7.0 to 7.5 apps caused concern among developers because the release schedule of the Windows Phone updates has varied dramatically by carrier. Microsoft indicated on Tuesday that it is using a phased rollout strategy to prevent any widespread problems with the operating system updates. The Mango update could take four weeks to reach 100 percent of customers, according to the company. (Some Windows Phone customers had still not received "NoDo" months after the initial rollouts started in March.)
Based on developer feedback, Microsoft announced last week that it is changing its initial app update policy in the Windows Phone Marketplace. By the end of October, according to a Sept. 20 blog post by Brix, Microsoft will provide functionality in its App Hub that allows developers to publish updates to 7.0 versions of their apps. The company is also providing "New for 7.5" screenshots and text overlay graphics that developers can use to help consumers identify Mango applications. The graphics and screenshots meet app certification requirements, according to Brix.
Windows Phone "Mango" and the new Web version of the Windows Phone Marketplace look promising for developers. Express your thoughts on the latest developments and what's needed to ramp up the market for devices and applications. Comment below or drop me a line.
Posted by Kathleen Richards on 09/27/2011 at 4:27 PM