Help to understand the Windows Phone Marketplace

[davidroccato]

Hi,

I need some help to understand how the Windows Phone marketplace works.

I don't have a Windows Mobile device but I have a blog where I write on different OS, iOS, Android, Windows and Symbian.

I talk about photography and videography only. And I'm interested in only those apps.

I need to understand few things if you can help me, please. So I can offer a better service to my readers.

1) Is there the in-app purchase method on the Windows apps too? Worldwide? When I see the apps on the Windows Phone Marketplace, I never see anything about other costs. How can I check if is there an in-app purchase for an app on the Web only?

2) What's the trial feature? Does every app have the possibility to be tested before to be use it? With all the features?

3) How do the redeem codes or promo codes work? Can I ask to a developer a promo code to give to my readers to test the app? What should I ask exactly? Or the trial in enough?

4) Is there a Web App where I can check every day the apps that go free, on photography only?

Thank you very much, I know it's a lot of questions but I hope you can help me to well understand this market.

[Ashley K.]

Hi David! Thanks for joining the forums.


1) Is there the in-app purchase method on the Windows apps too? Worldwide? When I see the apps on the Windows Phone Marketplace, I never see anything about other costs. How can I check if is there an in-app purchase for an app on the Web only?

I'm not sure you can check if there is an in-app purchase on the web only, as purchases are typically handled on the phone anyway.

2) What's the trial feature? Does every app have the possibility to be tested before to be use it? With all the features?

The trial feature is a way for developers to let people try the apps before they buy them. It's sort of like how Android developers offer Free and Premium versions of their apps, but they're combined into one app so the developer doesn't have to produce two apps and keep them updated. Usually trials have a time period on them for how long you can use them such as three days, but often the trials are unlimited and ad-supported.

3) How do the redeem codes or promo codes work? Can I ask to a developer a promo code to give to my readers to test the app? What should I ask exactly? Or the trial in enough?

Usually the trial is enough, but some developers will release betas and such that are in the private marketplace. These apps can only be accessed if you have the link.

4) Is there a Web App where I can check every day the apps that go free, on photography only?

I'm afraid the marketplace is much less organized than Apple or Google's marketplaces, so the only way to keep up on it would be to manually check yourself. As Windows Phone grows more popular, more web apps of this nature could be released in the future.

I think I've elaborated on everything you've asked but feel free to ask anything else if you have any questions. Someone else may know better about in-app purchases and promo codes, since I've never enountered them myself in using the marketplace.

[davidroccato]

Hi Ashley, thank you for your precious answers.

If you don't mind I have other questions that follow up so to understand better all the market.

5) So, if I understand well, the trial should be enough because you can use all the features without any limitations right? Even save at full resolution and share anywhere correct? I saw the "unlimited trial", so that mean the app is with the ads but with all the functionality. That's quite cool btw. All the apps offer the trial method generally?

6) There's one thing I haven't understood very well. I saw an article about Nokia producing its own panorama app and there was written that the companies can produce their on apps inside the Windows Marketplace but I don't understand how this work. I mean, all the apps I see on the marketplace are for all devices? And then there are other apps, inside the marketplace, made by a company but only for their telephone? I don't know if I have well understood actually.

7) A part for this forum, is there a sort of blog of reference that talk about Windows Phone photography and videography only, or almost only, that you might know?

Thank you

[Ashley K.]

5) So, if I understand well, the trial should be enough because you can use all the features without any limitations right? Even save at full resolution and share anywhere correct? I saw the "unlimited trial", so that mean the app is with the ads but with all the functionality. That's quite cool btw. All the apps offer the trial method generally?

Yep, that's correct. Any time you see an app that includes an unlimited trial, it means you can use it for free as long as you like, as long as you're cool with the ads it will display. The upgrade to pro will remove the ads and that's about it. Sometimes apps will limit minor functionality, such as Twitter apps only allowing you to sync one twitter account, etc. I'm not sure how that would play into Photography apps.

6) There's one thing I haven't understood very well. I saw an article about Nokia producing its own panorama app and there was written that the companies can produce their on apps inside the Windows Marketplace but I don't understand how this work. I mean, all the apps I see on the marketplace are for all devices? And then there are other apps, inside the marketplace, made by a company but only for their telephone? I don't know if I have well understood actually.

Nokia is the only manufacturer that has its own store within the Marketplace, I believe. They preinstall their phones with App Highlights that highlight some of the best performing apps on the marketplace so users don't have to see many of the porno/sex/strip apps that are invariably in the marketplace. They also produce their own apps, such as the photography app you mentioned, and Nokia Drive, which is a GPS solution. Since these apps are only available on Nokia devices, only Nokia phones have this "Nokia collection" as it is called. Unlocked Windows Phones of any manufacturer can install these Nokia apps, however. Our own Joe Fedewa has Nokia Drive on his HTC Trophy.

7) A part for this forum, is there a sort of blog of reference that talk about Windows Phone photography and videography only, or almost only, that you might know?

I don't know of any blogs that deal with photography and videography specifically, but you're welcome to stick around here and see what our members are discussing. Any time a new app is released that is substantial, we cover it on the main page as well so you might want to give our RSS feed a follow, if you're interested in that.

[techblitz]

If you want to know app deals, you could always check WPCentral or all those other Windows Phone blogs!

[davidroccato]

@Ashley: thank you, you've been really kind to explain me everything very well. I really appreciate it.

@techblitz: thanks for the WPcentral info. For other blogs, as I don't know any I asked here. You have windows phones, you know better then me who is worth it and who is not. I just need 1, or 2 at the maximum, but that talk on photography apps for the most (or that they have an RSS for photography only). I don't want to read 100 news with only 1 on photography apps each time if you know what I mean. Do that for 100 blogs and you might understand the difficult on doing that. I don't write on games, otherwise I would have even too many resources :O

[Joe F.]

If you want to know app deals, you could always check WPCentral or all those other Windows Phone blogs!

I think you meant WinSource, right?

[techblitz]

I think you meant WinSource, right?

Right! Haha, I haven't checked if you guys do daily app deals!
WARNING: This little joke took up a good five minutes to properly synchronize, and it's still not perfect.

[techblitz]

@Ashley: thank you, you've been really kind to explain me everything very well. I really appreciate it.

@techblitz: thanks for the WPcentral info. For other blogs, as I don't know any I asked here. You have windows phones, you know better then me who is worth it and who is not. I just need 1, or 2 at the maximum, but that talk on photography apps for the most (or that they have an RSS for photography only). I don't want to read 100 news with only 1 on photography apps each time if you know what I mean. Do that for 100 blogs and you might understand the difficult on doing that. I don't write on games, otherwise I would have even too many resources :O

I understand. Are you looking for apps that excel at taking photos or apps that document photography news? If you are looking for photo taking apps, is there something you have in mind?