Updated September 18:
Microsoft has offered some clarification on this issue:
Quote:
In the vast majority of instances where an application is removed from Windows Marketplace for Mobile, users of this application will continue to be able to use these applications on their phones. In the rare event an application from Marketplace exhibits harmful behavior or has unforeseen effects, Marketplace has the capability to remotely uninstall these applications. While we hope to avoid this scenario, we will make refunds available in such cases.
As part of their upcoming launch of Marketplace for Mobile, Microsoft will be including a kill switch. However, unlike Apple, who has a similar tool for their App Store, Microsoft is removing the application from the phone if the application becomes unapproved in the Market.
| - If an application is approved but later removed from the marketplace it will then be automatically removed from all mobile devices. |
In the past, any application downloaded to a Windows Mobile phone would continue to be there, regardless of the application. It was possible for the creator to kill the application if they so chose, but it was common knowledge that the user who downloaded that application still had the rights to use it.
While any user or developer who goes through Marketplace will agree to such a feature when they accept the EULA, this will create some serious questions when a paid-for app is wiped clean. Will a user who paid for an app receive a refund if their application is wiped clean? Will the developer or Microsoft be responsible for the refund?
Source: Geekzone.co.nz via msmobiles.com
© 2009, BigDiesel07. All rights reserved.
sounds like a death switch for marketplace.
@shaggylive
You may be right. Only time will tell.
thats just a horrible idea… i don’t see a refund happening and if it does i don’t think microsoft would foot the bill… i don’t see too many developers going for that one
yea.. no thanks.. this implies removal upon sync? What about the inclusion of OTA abilities? I’m not worried about it, im sure there will be countless solutions and workarounds (especially here)
I won’t be using the marketplace with this “feature” in place.
gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
There are a ton of other marketplaces you can already get for the phone so I don’t know why we even need a new one. If it is anything like the Blackberry App World, most of the software will be more expensive than other solutions anyways. Personally, I think the first time they start deleting things off of peoples phones, especially if that software is still available elsewhere they are going to have not only legal problems if refunds are not forthcoming, but also serious issues keeping users on the service. You would think they already get enough bad press. Seems to me when you purchase software, you are buying a license from the author not Microsoft. I can understand them not wanting to provide new downloads if it is removed from the Marketplace, but not removing it from the device wholesale. Makes you wander if they are thinking of doing the same moronic thing in the new and definitely unimproved Windows Marketplace. Buy Office 2007 for instance and when they stop selling it to bring out Office 2010 they remove it from your machine to force you to upgrade. Their goal across the board seems to be lets rent software. No thanks. I think I’ll be passing on the Marketplace.
They need to fix that. If that’s the case, then I’m never gonna use the marketplace (if I have a choice, that is).
i hope they have a remote refund switch too…
I’ll speak via my wallet and will avoid using Microsoft’s Marketplace.
i think you are all over reacting. This will only happen if they pull the software off of the marketplace for some strange reason and honestly how many programs do you think they will actually pull after they have already been approved. I’m guessing not very many
The kill switch doesn’t bother me as much as the fact that you can only download the app 5 times. What will that do to those of us with flashing fetishes?
Can i still hold the app on my sd card? Can the app be deleted from there?
nb
was microsoft really not paying attention when amazon had problems with this same situation?
@jbearamus, I was wondering exactly the same thing. Apps stores are nice, but I like being able to freely acquire and use apps as I see fit, not because some vendor tells me they’re acceptable to market.
invasion of privacy (red tape) wondering what else they might be able to do?
[...] Microsoft will play nice and have a reasonable process. Like letting us keep the apps we download. [PPC Geeks via Boy Genius Report] Tagged:app storeappskill switchmarketplace for mobilemicrosoftwindows [...]
[...] Microsoft will play nice and have a reasonable process. Like letting us keep the apps we download. [PPC Geeks via Boy Genius [...]
thats stupid…they’re taking away one of winmo best qualities..it’s freedom to use, install, create, remove any type of app…and hope they dont plan on remotly removing applications from the phone…thats so rediculous…i hope theres some privacy law or sumshit that ownz microsoft if they try an do that…what exacly do they mean by market place..?
Microsoft should ask Amazon how well that worked for the Kindle. Hint: they caught hell and the attention of the US DoJ.