Microsoft has signed up dozens of developers - including MySpace and Facebook - for its new app store, and will launch free apps which provide real-time access to the social networking sites.
Microsoft announced this week at CITA 2009 that the first companies have signed on for the Windows Marketplace for Mobile store.
At least 27 developers have signed on so far. As well as MySpace and Facebook, the list includes gaming giants EA and Namco, as well as Netflix, the Associated Press and CNBC.
Microsoft also said it had reversed its controversial app update policy - the company announced last month that a $99 annual fee would allow developers to submit up to five applications per year, with additional registrations costing a further $99.
But Microsoft later revealed that app updates would count as new registrations, angering content developers. The company has now announced that developers will be able to submit updates for free throughout the app's lifecycle.
Microsoft said it will launch a free Microsoft-developed Facebook app this month. The app aims to make it easy to upload video to FaceBook via users' Windows Mobile devices.
A free MySpace app, providing real-time access to their MySpace networks, will follow around mid-year. LG has already arranged to pre-load the app on its Windows handsets.