Have you been longing for access to applications on your Windows Mobile 6.0 or 6.1 smartphone? Jealous that Windows Mobile 6.5 can and you can't? Be jealous no more, as users of WinMo 6.0 and 6.1 can download and install Microsoft Marketplace for Windows starting today.Microsoft has made good on its promise to deliver the Microsoft Marketplace for Window to Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 smartphones by the end of November.

In order to get up and running, users of WinMo 6.0 and 6.1 need to download and install the Marketplace client on their device. It can be downloaded directly over the air (from this link), or to a PC (from this link) and installed from the desktop if you wish. Once the client is installed, access to the Marketplace is all yours!

According to Microsoft, there are now over 800 applications available to Windows Mobile devices, more than 90% of which will be compatible with Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1. Both touch phones and non-touch phones are supported. Microsoft notes that over 1,000 software vendors have registered to deliver applications to the Marketplace. In other words, expect there to be a lot more than 800 applications in the not-too-distant future.

Microsoft talks up the opportunities for developers as much as it does for business and consumer customers. With added compatibility for WinMo 6.0 and 6.1, it means about 30 million users have access to the Marketplace. Obviously, the more apps that Microsoft can cram into the Marketplace, the better for Microsoft and its customers.

Hopefully that installed base of 30 million will be more than enough impetus to light a fire under developers for Windows Mobile.