The Marketplace for Windows Mobile, which has been supplying app-based goodness to smartphone handsets running Microsoft’s dedicated OS since late 2009, will be closing its virtual doors in the next two months. The online store stopped taking software submissions from third-party app developers back in May 2011 and a year later on May 9th the Marketplace will be closed indefinitely.
The Marketplace has allowed mobile users to browse, but stopped allowing Windows Mobile 6.x downloads from its website in July. However, users could still browse and download free and paid apps via a mobile phone. The current standard has now changed to cater for the steady rise of the Windows Phone 7 and 7.5 operating systems on mobile gadgets, from manufacturers such as HTC, Nokia and ZTE, the Marketplace will now find residency on that platform only.
Microsoft confirmed the news that the Marketplace is in its final days in a statement, which reads: “Beginning May 9, 2012, the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace service will no longer be available” Microsoft adds “Starting on this date, you will no longer be able to browse, buy, or download applications directly on your Windows Mobile 6.x phone using the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace application and service.”
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