I think it’s fair to say that Microsoft has some ground to make up with their Windows Mobile operating system, especially given the advent of the iPhone, Android and WebOS. I also think Microsoft has a chance to overhaul their current, negative product image with a successful launch of their Application Marketplace. Instead, they seem to be playing a deadly game of chicken with developers, giving them plenty of reasons to simply walk away.

According to the website istartedsomething.com, Microsoft will be CHARGING developers up to $99 to simply update their applications! You pay a $99 fee and then you get 5 free application submissions. But according to this site, app updates will count as new submissions. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

With plenty of platforms out there that aim to take care of the developer, why would anyone develop for a platform that aims to nickel and dime developers who are simply trying to improve their existing products on the market? This will not only discourage developers from working with WinMo apps to begin with, but also perpetuate the existence of subpar, glitchy or incomplete apps on the existing market because developers will be less motivated to update an application when it has a fee involved.

This is an absolutely boneheaded move by Microsoft… if it’s true. Suppose you want to fix a small typo? $99 please. Give me a break. Is Microsoft intentionally trying to sink their ship? Do they not understand that the world is a bit different and they can’t simply use their monopoly to force the hand of everyone they come into contact with? The new world order of technology is developing right now… and Microsoft will be left out if they don’t change their mentality rather quickly.