Did Microsoft Get Smart? Reversed Stance on $99 Updates?

March 31, 2009 | By Admin In Technology |

Did Microsoft Get Smart? Reversed Stance on $99 Updates?
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As you may recall the blog-o-sphere was all in a tizzy last week (myself included) about Microsoft taking what could have been their easiest money maker yet – the Microsoft version of the App Store – and screwing it and the developers royally by trying to charge $99 per update per application.

Well it appears that someone at Microsoft is paying attention to the shoe phone (works better than a WinMo smartphone rumour has it) and has decided that maybe ripping off the developers wasn’t such a good idea. According to cnet (via wmexperts) Microsoft has changed the policy to be quite a bit more friendly:

Now all updates or version upgrades for applications that have already been submitted to the store will be accepted free of charge, a Microsoft representative confirmed. This applies to minor bug fixes as well as second-generation releases that add new features or capabilities.

Microsoft still plans to charge developers $99 a year, plus $99 per application, to submit applications to Windows Marketplace for Mobile, though this year, developers are being allowed to submit up to five applications free of charge for that $99 yearly fee.

So, while I think the extra $99 per application is still a bit pricy I have to applaud Microsoft for the swift decision making. They’re going to have a better store because of it. The $99 will help curb some of the dumb crap Apple has in their store (hopefully) but unfortunately its going to prohibit some first timers from taking their shot… Oh well.

So – question of the day:

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