Windows Marketplace to allow app sharing across handsets

Microsoft's forthcoming Windows Marketplace for Mobile application storefront will enable customers to run purchased apps across as many as five WinMo phones at the same time, benefiting individuals who own multiple smartphones as well as allowing users to share apps by "authorizing" handsets belonging to family and friends. Speaking last week at the software giant's Tech Ed conference, Microsoft senior product manager Daniel Bouie said Windows Marketplace for Mobile customers will be required to register any phones across which applications will be shared--apps may be downloaded as many times as necessary as users look to re-install content on replacement or upgraded phones, provided they do not exceed the five-device limit. Bouie said Microsoft will employ its LiveID authentication system for tracking, adding "It will be very hard for the casual, semi-casual or semi-pro user to pirate apps."

The obvious consumer appeal of app sharing notwithstanding, Microsoft may face serious resistance to its plans from the Windows Mobile development community. "Developers want to sell as many apps as possible. They don't want you to run a single app you bought on multiple devices," independent Jack Gold said to Computerworld. In a follow-up email to Computerworld, Bouie disagreed with the contention: "We feel comfortable that using our LiveID system to help connect products to five devices is a great balance of the needs of both developers and end users. We see this as a permanent feature, and we've gotten great positive feedback from the vast majority of developers we've talked with about this."

For more on Windows Marketplace app sharing:
- read this Computerworld article

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