Microsoft reveals four areas of concern related to Windows Phone Marketplace

posted by Alan F. / Apr 30, 2012, 10:19 PM

Microsoft reveals four areas of concern related to Windows Phone Marketplace

While the Windows Phone Marketplace can't easily catch up to the Apple App Store, or even Google Play Store in terms of quantity, Microsoft thinks it can beat both of them in quality. As a result, Microsoft has listed four areas where it expects the Marketplace to meet or exceed higher standards. The four areas are Trademarks, Bulk Publishing, Keywords and Content Policy.

When it comes to Trademarks, Microsoft wants developers to do due diligence in checking out trademarks that they are using. Microsoft suggests code jockeys to use Microsoft's content policy and the USPTO. Microsoft says it is still seeing violations in bulk publishing even though it has lowered the number of titles a developer can submit daily. The idea is to prevent a single developer from submitting the same app to varying categories which is a violation. Microsoft says that it will remove any app that is submitted to more than one category. Another violation is copying a Marketplace title image with closely related apps.

These would be a violation

Microsoft limits a developer to the use of five keywords that help people find a certain app. Microsoft says any app with more than five keywords will have all of the keywords deleted. And the keywords need to be relevant to the app. In other words, you couldn't use a keyword like Skittles for an app that features a stopwatch.

Lastly, Microsoft spelled out its policy on content. The tech titan will not allow "sexually suggestive or provocative" images. Microsoft says that it will accept content like the type you would find on prime time television or in a magazine's swimsuit issue. Microsoft said it will start looking at the content, titles and icons of apps that are submitted and are looking for more "subtle and modest" imagery. And if you see an app that you think violates Microsoft's policies, you can report it to them via email at reportapp@microsoft.com. No one will call you a stool pigeon.

These would be acceptable

source: WindowsPhone via WPCentral

FEATURED VIDEO

Options

18 Comments

1. Yummy

Posts: 117; Member since: Mar 28, 2012

Cool. Talk about a thorough job!

posted on Apr 30, 2012, 10:48 PM 10

2. Phullofphil

Posts: 1755; Member since: Feb 10, 2009

I am not on the windows bandwagon yet I am still with android don't realy like apple even though I think apple has better quality apps for the most part. I realy like android except how it manages power management when I poor my phone to sleep and battery management all together. I really am getting sick of looking for apps on the android play store and finding alot of junk. Apples store for the most part have the same problem. If Microsoft actually comes through with what they are saying than I can't wait till they allow better phones on windows phone 8. I will get one than. But if it is just empty promises on stuff that would be desirable but not really realistic like there decision engine on bing. I use google search still because I am used to it and prefer the results but I am sure bing is as good but no decision engine that is better than all search engines. My point being I hope that they walk the walk and not just talk the talk because I am looking forward to apolo and what it's possabilitys are. Chances are knowing how far till it comes out apple and android will still be far ahead with Microsoft still playing catchup. Microsoft is so bad about letting its intentions out to far ahead of time while apple lets nothing out and android has very short time between announcing and implementing. (the slow ics roll out is not googles flat it's the carriers and manufacturers.). But I hope windows phone 8 is what I hope it will be

posted on Apr 30, 2012, 10:54 PM 9

3. snowgator

Posts: 3617; Member since: Jan 19, 2011

Microsoft has also done a decent job of helping developers. The recent article on MS helping them cross submit apps to new markets has shown that. I also have read one of the reasons WP8 was put off from a possible Summer launch to a Winter launch was ensuring all developers on WP7 had ample time and resources to get their apps completely Apollo ready. MS may not be taking over the sales charts, but they are ensuring return customers and support for their platform.

posted on Apr 30, 2012, 10:59 PM 7

12. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

Yup, the low and slow approach. Thats why I dont get people that constantly claim doom and gloom for MS if they dont take over the market by "X" date. MS isnt in a hurry... at least not as much as a hurry as some people wish they were. Better to take your time and do it right, than to run the race with your shoes untied.

posted on May 01, 2012, 7:57 AM 2

14. SemperFiV12

Posts: 949; Member since: Nov 09, 2010

I agree, but you better do it right quick enough not to piss off customers (potential and present)... Or else you end up with no future customers. MSFT is too huge to fail, so I am confident in their rise.

posted on May 02, 2012, 2:44 AM 0

4. x7black7x

Posts: 118; Member since: Feb 19, 2012

yup microsoft has an unbeatable experience they have the knowledage to uniform everything greatly they are helping the devs by paying them directly and its the first time when a thing like that happend we can get a clear look of how commited they are to their windows phone os

posted on May 01, 2012, 12:21 AM 1

5. x7black7x

Posts: 118; Member since: Feb 19, 2012

posted on May 01, 2012, 12:21 AM 1

6. djg71087

Posts: 70; Member since: Oct 10, 2010

Benefits of being an underdog in the mobile phone market, now your getting quality for your $$. Typically the bigger cats tend to slow down (b/c they have name recognition, etc). I like Samsung and Apple (in terms of what they have released and accomplished), however I would like to see MS, Nokia, and HTC tear up the charts again (statistically, in terms of volume and profitability).

posted on May 01, 2012, 12:40 AM 2

7. Glim12808

Posts: 394; Member since: Oct 26, 2011

As a new user of Windows Phone, this is good news to me! I hated wading through a lot of crap and repetitive apps in the Market of my Android. I would hate the same thing to happen in the Marketplace. It's a good thing they're doing this as early as now while there are only about 80,000 apps in the Marketplace. Like it must be a nightmare for Google to clean up now with 500 million apps in Google Play Store!

posted on May 01, 2012, 12:44 AM 2

8. Bluesky02

Posts: 1439; Member since: Dec 05, 2011

Organization is always welcome

posted on May 01, 2012, 2:13 AM 2

9. microsoftnokiawin

Posts: 1268; Member since: Mar 30, 2012

oh goody i am gonna report some now

posted on May 01, 2012, 3:55 AM 0

10. azafirster

Posts: 44; Member since: May 01, 2012

Somehow, I don't agree with this article. Ms has quality, yeah right. I'm from Malaysia and I can tell this much, the apps the regionalize for my country sucks. Apps sometimes turning up to be mere IE shortcuts, no Xbox live, while advertisment boast xbox on the box of all lumia only to dissapointed when we open marketplace and finding out its not meant for your country. A whole load of crap. ESPN app turns of to IE shortcut. Same goes for YouTube. Quality ms says. I would love for the ms guys to call me up and ask my opinion on their app quality. ms, the company that develops office, yet their own OS can't remote access or control powerpoint out the box. Don't talk about quality, when your basics apps and norm functions aren't up to par. I am still waiting for that hotspot you've been braging about. Such a dissapointment.

posted on May 01, 2012, 4:40 AM 1

11. HugeTroller

Posts: 80; Member since: Apr 27, 2012

Lol go away fandroid/isheep. Quit pretending

posted on May 01, 2012, 7:07 AM 2

15. azafirster

Posts: 44; Member since: May 01, 2012

My current phone, Lumia 710.

posted on May 02, 2012, 6:33 AM 0

16. azafirster

Posts: 44; Member since: May 01, 2012

my first agonizingly smart of a phone. Just migrated from E72.

posted on May 02, 2012, 6:37 AM 0

17. ca2l3vin

Posts: 22; Member since: Aug 12, 2009

The reason why it was posted you may be trolling is due to probably your possibly lack of knowledge of apps for the marketplace. Im not sure if its just region oriented or not but 1. Nokia and ESPN both have high powered apps that only link to IE once you delve deep into certain details. This is the same for iOS and Android. Before that the apps are very fluid smooth and provide content straight from the app (scores from the ESPN scorecenter, Video and articles from the Nokia ESPN app) 2. Xbox Live wont work unless you have Xbox live as a whole for the country your in. If you have it and its not connecting with the phone then thats understandable for frustration but if you dont have a live account in the country to begin with then the point is meaningless. 3. There are 5 High Quality youtube apps on windows phone currently that I can think of off the top of my head. The one by MS just provides the codec and MS has stated due to Google(youtubes owner) not releasing API's specifically to MS that they cant themselves come out with a HQ youtube app yet. Try Youtube Pro, PrimeTube, SuperTube to name a few 4. The fact they have free Office support alone is merit enough for most. With android you either get a "trial" or have to actually pay for an Office app. Also they have remote apps from 3rd parties available for free just like android does. 5. I do agree all devices should have hotspot enabled. But thats controlled by the Manufacturer and the Carriers (in most areas) so its likely not their fault. My Lumia 900 with ATT has Hotspot but my HTC Trophy with VZW doesnt even though both can actually support it. Im thinking you either havent given it much of a chance or you were expecting too much. In either case its a new OS so give it time.

posted on May 02, 2012, 7:55 AM 1

18. azafirster

Posts: 44; Member since: May 01, 2012

I can't begin to tell you all how my phone is so different than those in the states. First, ESPN official app is non existant, its an app with name ESPN by some dev by the name yalla. I thought its a app made by ESPN, supposedly. For the office app, its good just like any other mobile office app. But keep in mind, this is MS we are talking about, it should be alot better not just like any other office app. Ok, Xbox, I have an box account, but its not offered in Malaysia, but by default all MS adverts says its there. Hence some features are regionalised. Why, apple and android doesn't. Music mix, Xbox live, ESPN exclusive app, hotspot, Bluetooth transfer, personalized ring n and tone, active Skype, better media player, these are all my gripes I have. Yes its a new Os, but its reputation of Microsoft that they should uphold by making all this a standard out of the box for any country.