Microsoft Marketplace drops developer update fees, adds Facebook support and more

Marketplace

Marketplace

Marketplace

Facebook

Facebook

Microsoft has announced that it will not charge developers for updates to software applications submitted to Windows Marketplace, the company's mobile application store. Developers will be allowed to make updates throughout their software's life-cycle for no additional charge.

The decision comes after developers erupted, disgruntled by the possibility of having to pay fees for insubstantial updates to their mobile applications.

Microsoft has also announced that 25 popular developers will support and release applications for Windows Marketplace when it launches. The first applications that will be available include FaceBook, AP Mobile, MySpace, Accuweather, CNBC, EA Mobile, SPB, Pandora, Sling Media, and more.

The Facebook app will be the first mobile application to allow users to capture and upload video directly from their phone to a user's Facebook wall. It will be available in April as a free download.