Should Microsoft Open WM App Store?
I spotted this announcement over IIStartedSomething (via msmobiles) site about a job posting allegedly from Microsoft.
| Job Title: Senior Product Manager – Skymarket This is a unique opportunity and time of rapid change in the mobile industry for a Senior Product Manager in the Mobile Communications Services team to drive the launch of a v1 marketplace service for Windows Mobile. (Read the full job posting in next tab |
If it is true, it is clearly a desperate move from Microsoft to copy Apple with its runaway success of the iPhone/iTouch App store. At first glance, there is nothing wrong in the business world to mimic a sure success. However, I am thinking this move might go against Microsoft principles.
Unlike Apple, Microsoft has always let the third party develop their application freely and market them freely, there are several software independent retails store such Handango, Mobihand, etc.. selling apps with their own contract arrangement with the app developers. In contrast, Apple app store only sells application that they approve based on technically merit and the app would not interfere with its business strategy, etc… and there are no other independent app stores available for user to get the app from, unless they jailbreak their device.
Unless Microsoft just creates another retail outlet to lend its backing to the platform, I don’t think it is a good move to compete and possibly to crush the existing app stores, which have helped the Windows Mobile communities for long time.
Job Title: Senior Product Manager – Skymarket
This is a unique opportunity and time of rapid change in the mobile industry for a Senior Product Manager in the Mobile Communications Services team to drive the launch of a v1 marketplace service for Windows Mobile.
Key Responsibilities include the following:
- Definition of the product offering, pricing, business model and policies that will make the Windows Mobile marketplace “the place to be” for developers wishing to distribute and monetize their Windows Mobile applications
- Responsibility for the business model and key elements that will drive the optimal experience for developers and monetization of the service by Microsoft
- Preparation and driving the cross group collaboration for the initial launch of the marketplace offering to the developer community this fall
- Preparation and driving the cross group collaboration with stakeholders in the commercial launch of the marketplace service with the launch of WM 7
- Define and mange the consumer, developer and mobile operator value proposition and supporting materials for use by PR, MCB’s developer outreach organization, and other teams across Microsoft
- Working with multiple stakeholders (product team, product planning, developer outreach, business operations, legal and more) in definition on the process, policies and terms of use through which developers and consumers take part in the marketplace
- Work closely with product planning on prioritization of consumer, developer, and mobile operator scenarios
- Support business development on engagements with mobile operators and integration of the marketplace offering into broader Microsoft services offerings or discussions
- Work closely with the Mobile Communication Business developer outreach organization
- Management of KPI’s for the service post launch
Product Manager – Commercial Integration
This is a unique opportunity for a Product Manager in the Mobile Communications Services team to drive the commercial operations and infrastructure integration for the v1 launch of an applications marketplace service for Windows Mobile 7.
Key Responsibilities include the following:
- Drive the commercial operations and infrastructure integration that will enable the Skymarket service and enable revenue collection from consumers of the service and payments to 3rd party developers selling applications/content through the marketplace
- Drive the cross group collaboration for the commercial operations and infrastructure that enable initial launch of the marketplace with the launch of WM 7
- Benchmarking 3rd party mobile marketplaces for commercial integration options for consumers and developers, generating a set of best practices as input for the app market planner
- Working closely with product teams and potentially 3rd parties on mobile operator commercial integration
- Define the processes and KPI’s for measurement of the performance of the business
- Define processes for the on-going operation of the business including unds collection, payment, reporting requirements
- Oversight of 3rd party developer payments, tax issues, and funds management
- Work closely with product planning on prioritization of consumer, developer, mobile operator integration, and internal commerce integration scenarios
- Preparation and driving the cross group collaboration for the commercial operations and infrastructure that enable initial launch of the marketplace with the launch of WM 7
- Working with multiple stakeholders (product team, product planning, developer outreach, legal and more) in definition on the process, policies and terms of use through which developers and consumers take part in the marketplace
- Support business development on engagements with mobile operators and integration of the marketplace offering into broader Microsoft services offerings or discussions
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