Microsoft planning another app store?

A recent trademark filing suggests Microsoft may be planning to launch a second application storefront in addition to its forthcoming Windows Marketplace for Mobile, this one focusing on apps that span multiple device platforms including the Zune HD portable media player. Blogger Long Zheng--who in September 2008 unearthed [1] the job advertisement that first identified Microsoft's app store plans--has now uncovered [2] trademark application 77775625 [3] for "OneApp," classified as a trademark for "online retail store services facilitating the download of computer software for use on mobile phones, media players and other portable electronic devices."

The filing goes on to outline "computer software for allowing mobile device users to send messages, make payments and access and play music, games and videos on mobile devices; computer software platforms for developing mobile applications; computer software, namely, software development tools for the creation of mobile applications; computer software for running retail store site for purchase and download of mobile applications over wireless networks." As Zheng notes, the OneApp brand suggests that applications would be universal across various Microsoft-powered devices, a theory bolstered by news that the Windows Mobile 7 team is collaborating with the Zune unit.

For more on the OneApp filing:
- read this Engadget Mobile article [4]

Related articles:
Microsoft [5] expanding Windows Marketplace to WinMo 6.0, 6.1
Windows Marketplace [6] to offer 600 apps at launch