Mobile Marketplace May Allow Users to Test-drive Apps for Free

When Microsoft’s app store, Windows Marketplace for Mobile, rolls out this fall, it’s going to have to do some serious one-upmanship to outdo the iPhone app store. Apple has a head-start of, oh maybe 25,000 apps, and that’s some serious catch-up for Microsoft. Not to be defeated, Microsoft has plans to offer something that Apple hasn’t thought of: a return policy.

Somewhere a rumor began that Windows Mobile customers may be able to return purchased apps that they decide that they don’t want. Here’s how it supposedly works. Users may purchase the app, but must do so directly through the Windows Marketplace for Mobile. The user then has twenty-four hours within which to decide if the app is worth keeping or returning. Essentially, the “return policy” allows customers to try the app free for a while, the only downside being you have to pay if you keep trying it for more than a day. Pretty innocuous. However, like any return policy, users will probably find a way to abuse it.

The Windows Marketplace for Mobile should start on opening day with 600 apps. Most users will probably never use 600 apps in their life, but compared to Apple’s staggering tens of thousands of available apps, and even Android’s offering of thousands, 600 feels small.

Windows Mobile began a viral marketing campaign to solicit apps for Windows Marketplace for Mobile. They are inviting developers to “bring your best ideas…use familiar development tools and technologies to create global market opportunities.” The interface seems streamlined, organized, and comprehensive with a three-step develop, test, and distribute pattern that may be effective in luring enterprising developers.