Microsoft has recently opened its Marketplace to developers interested in registering. As of now, customers and the press are not allowed in – the quote below hits us via ComputerWorld:
In a potentially market-changing move, Microsoft Corp. plans to let customers of its upcoming Windows Marketplace for Mobile run purchased applications on as many as five Windows Mobile phones at the same time.
This would primarily benefit individuals who own multiple smartphones running the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, which is needed to access Microsoft’s online store.
…
Marketplace customers will also be able to get a no-questions-asked refund on an application, provided they request it within 24 hours of their purchase
…
Even though this sounds extremely developer-unfriendly, my personal experience tells me that these issues are very rare. I have been selling applications for the Palm OS for about five years now, and have to say that less than 5% of customers ever demand a second unlock code or a refund (even though ESDs have offered this for quite some time).
I see the problem somewhere else: Microsoft lets customers know about these possibilities. Austrians say that opportunity creates theft…which is what we are likely to see here…
Ideas, anyone?
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