When the new application store for Windows Mobile, dubbed Windows Marketplace for Mobile, opens it will have 600 apps to start with according to a Windows Mobile product manager at Microsoft France.The last time I checked, Palm's app store for WebOS had about thirty applications in it. Google's Android application store claims to have "thousands" and Apple's App Store has over 25,000 applications in it. Microsoft will be starting off in the low end to be sure, but unlike the Pre that runs WebOS, Windows Mobile has quite a few more apps that aren't in the Marketplace for Mobile site yet, so even if the Marketplace doesn't have what you want, chances are, you'll be able to find the app you want. Unlike the iPhone, Microsoft won't be restricting you to installing only apps found in their store.

According to Audrey Zolghadr (French to English translation courtesy of Google's translate services), the WinMo product manager at Microsoft France, the Windows Mobile platform currently has over 20,000 apps available for it. The Marketplace for Mobile site will work with the software on the device to ensure that the user only sees software that will work with their device. For example, not all software works with all screen resolutions or works with both touch and non-touch screens.

I do wonder why only 600 apps will be available when 20,000 exist. Are developers reluctant to pay the $99 fee or is Microsoft really focusing on getting the best apps in the store for launch? The one thing I'd really like to see change hasn't and that is the marketplace will only be available for Windows Mobile 6.5 devices. No existing phones will be able to use it unless it is on the short list of devices that can be upgraded, like the Touch Pro2.

The store will launch later this year concurrently with Windows Mobile 6.5. I've not seen any dates yet. WinMo 6.5 is done, it is just a matter of the manufacturers and carriers putting their finishing touches on it and finalizing testing.