Microsoft Windows Mobile "app store" to be called Skymarket

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. -- First Apple launched its "App Store" for iPhone users -- a one-stop shop for iPhone software. Then Google unveiled its "app store" called Android Market. Now, it appears, Microsoft is secretly planning an "app store" for its own Windows Mobile platform, called Skymarket.

How do we know this? Microsoft has been advertising for a Skymarket Senior Product Manager, that's how.

According to the job post, key responsibilities include: 

• "Definition of the product offering, pricing, business model and policies that will make the Windows Mobile marketplace “the place to be” for developers wishing to distribute and monetize their Windows Mobile application

• Responsibility for the business model and key elements that will drive the optimal experience for developers and monetization of the service by Microsoft

• Preparation and driving the cross group collaboration for the initial launch of the marketplace offering to the developer community this fall

• Preparation and driving the cross group collaboration with stakeholders in the commercial launch of the marketplace service with the launch of WM 7

• Define and mange the consumer, developer and mobile operator value proposition and supporting materials for use by PR, MCB’s developer outreach organization, and other teams across Microsoft

• Working with multiple stakeholders (product team, product planning, developer outreach, business operations, legal and more) in definition on the process, policies and terms of use through which developers and consumers take part in the marketplace

• Work closely with product planning on prioritization of consumer, developer, and mobile operator scenarios

• Support business development on engagements with mobile operators and integration of the marketplace offering into broader Microsoft services offerings or discussions

• Work closely with the Mobile Communication Business developer outreach organization

• Management of KPI’s for the service post launch"

The new Skymarket could go online "as soon as 2009," along with Windows Mobile 7.