Microsoft Opens Blinds on Windows Mobile App Store

Microsoft has offered more detailed information about how it will manage its upcoming mobile application store. Developers' fee structures were detailed, as were revenue-sharing models -- a 70/30 split, just like Apple's mobile app structure. It also promised a great deal of transparency about what types of applications would be allowed to distribute through the store.

Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) on Wednesday revealed more details about how its upcoming Windows Marketplace for Mobile app store will work and its strategy for luring more developers to the Windows Mobile platform.

The software giant will give developers a 70 percent cut of all sales generated by their applications on the new app store -- the same percentage that Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) gives to app developers for the popular iPhone.

Microsoft will also "provide transparency throughout the certification process of each app submitted" as well as "guidance and support from the stage of development to the final sale to the consumer," the company said.

Developers will set the prices for their applications and can also choose to distribute their applications at no cost. In other words, the new Windows Mobile app store isn't the only place where developers can sell their wares.

Microsoft will charge a US$99 annual registration fee to developers who want to submit their applications for sale on the new app store. The first five application submissions to Windows Marketplace for Mobile are included in the introductory fee. Each additional submission within the annual period will cost $99.

Microsoft's stock was up 1.82 percent to $16.78 per share in mid-day trading on Wednesday.