Microsoft Skymarket Mobile Download Store Planned For WM7
Hot on the heels of Google’sAndroid Market confirmationcomes word that Microsoft are planning their own on-device download system currently codenamedSkymarket. A number of job adverts – since pulled – outlined their plans, including a Fall rollout along with Windows Mobile 7. The system, similar the Apple AppStore, would result in revenue sharing for Microsoft and a way for users to bypass the multiple software stores that support the mobile OS.
It’s a move that’s unlikely to go down well with the current online retailers, such as Handango, who have built good businesses offering the many thousand apps available for Windows Mobile. Presumably Microsoft would be preinstalling Skymarket on new devices rather than any other service, with most customers unlikely to look beyond what that store offers.
The job adverts also mention mobile operator commercial integration, no doubt in order to keep the carriers sweet for using their data networks. Unlike the iPhone, which usually comes with an unlimited data package, many Windows Mobile device users pay by the MB for their data access; it’s possible that Microsoft could agree a percentage of app sales price in return for carriers not charging this usual rate, as a stimulus for users to access the service.
Job Title: Senior Product Manager – Skymarket
This is a unique opportunity and time of rapid change in the mobile industry for a Senior Product Manager in the Mobile Communications Services team to drive the launch of a v1 marketplace service for Windows Mobile.
Key Responsibilities include the following:
Product Manager – Commercial Integration
This is a unique opportunity for a Product Manager in the Mobile Communications Services team to drive the commercial operations and infrastructure integration for the v1 launch of an applications marketplace service for Windows Mobile 7.
[viaMicrosoft Skymarket]
