People who still use Windows Mobile 6.5 devices will be receiving a kick in the butt to upgrade their phones soon. Well, indirectly of course. Microsoft has announced that as of July 15th, 2011, developers will no longer be able to submit new apps to its Windows Marketplace for Mobile – the store where WM 6.5 users get their apps from.
“While apps will still be available for sale, it will not be possible to modify prices, metadata or other information, and apps can only be removed from the market by contacting the support team. While sales and download reports will also still be available, and developer payments will be made as normal,” according to Microsoft.
The Windows Marketplace for Mobile currently serves 2,364 apps by 735 publishers, and it hasn’t been growing much over the past few months. With Windows Phone 7 being Microsoft’s current basket full of eggs, they’re determined to do all they can to push it in today’s smartphone market. Windows Phone 7’s Marketplace already offers over 11,000 apps after being launching late last year. Windows Marketplace for Mobile has been around since October 2009.
There’s no word if Microsoft will eventually shut down the Marketplace for Mobile, but don’t be surprised if they do.
Filed in . Read more about Apps, Marketplace, Microsoft, Windows Mobile 6.5 and Windows Phone 7.