Microsoft has launched its competitor to Apple’s App Store, Windows Marketplace Live, but first impressions of the service are underwhelming.
The Microsoft store is designed along similar lines to Apple’s. Split into categories such as Entertainment, Productivity and Business Center, you can use your Windows Live ID to download and install applications. The Marketplace launched this morning, a day ahead of the global launch of Windows Mobile 6.5.
The library of apps is currently unimpressive, however. Windows Marketplace Live currently appears to have only 40 applications on our test handset, including PAC-MAN, Mastersoft Money V6 and a world clock called WorldTime.
When the Marketplace was announced in February, a Microsoft spokesperson claimed there were would 20,000 applications available for Windows Mobile. TechCentral is awaiting word from Microsoft’s PR on where the other 19,960 are.
Even if all 20,000 do appear for the official launch, the Microsoft store will still have a long way to go before it catches up with Apple. The iPhone App Store has more than 85,000 applications and has clocked-up more than two billion downloads, according to Apple.
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