Vassili Philippov (vasja@spbteam.com), July 08, 2002.
Interview with Shreedhar Madhavapeddi (hereinafter SM), Microsoft Program Manager for Mobile2Market. Mobile2Market is the new framework from Microsoft which enables a process for the certification and market delivery of network-ready wireless applications for the Windows Powered Pocket PC and Smartphone software platforms. The interview is taken by Vassili Philippov (hereinafter VP).
VP: Could you enumerate the most important facts about Mobile2Market program? I mean certain things that will happen because of Mobile2Market.
SM: Sure. First, let me briefly describe what Mobile2Market is. It's a program that creates a steamlined process for the certification and market delivery of network-ready wireless applications for Pocket PC and Smartphone 2002. To answer your question, we believe this program will: 1) make it easier and faster for developers to prepare solutions for wireless data networks; 2) provide a level of confidence to mobile operators that "logoed" applications are network-ready secure and reliable, and 3) create new business and ultimately enable a new economy around the creation, certification and delivery of these mobile applications.
VP: Will Microsoft force ISVs to certify programs for Microsoft Powered Smartphone 2002 platform?
SM: No, it's completely up to vendors, but we think that many will choose to do so because of the benefits I just outlined.
VP: The following ISV benefits are listed in the Mobile2Market description:
Some of them are absolutely clear. But could you comment the last three.
For example what new will appear in "Marketing support".
SM: Just to give a few examples, we'll be investing marketing resources to promote the program to
mobile operators and customers and we've created a new "Designed for Windows for Pocket PC" logo
and Microsoft Certified Partner brand that Mobile2Market certified solutions will carry.
Participating vendors will also receive customer referrals, inclusion in Microsoft's
online directory of Certified Partners, and have their solutions highlighted on the
Handango web site. More information about program benefits can be found here:
http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/developer/getcertified/benefits.asp
VP: Could you tell about things that prevents mobile software market to be bigger and that Microsoft will change by Mobile2Market program?
SM: We are really just scratching the surface of market opportunity for mobile applications, it's still a relatively new market. We'd like to think that our Pocket PC software has already enabled a great deal of innovation in the mobile software industry by providing a robust, high-performance platform and familiar development environment. Moving into the wireless data world, applications will need to be smart about how they operate over wireless networks and this is both an opportunity and a challenge. We think Mobile2Market will help ISVs develop network-ready solutions that meet w/ network operator approval. It is designed to bring the ISV's and the Mobile Operators, Online Retailers together.
VP: What should mobile software developer companies change in their development process to be more "Mobile2Market" compatible?
SM: Certainly they should download and refer to the SDKs available for Windows Powered devices including Pocket PC and Smartphone. And simply put, they should participate in the Logo Certification process. More information is available at:
http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/developer/getcertified/mobile2market.asp
VP: What kind of mobile products will be the most successful?
SM: Well, it's going to be amazing to see what the market comes up with and what users will
really lock onto. It's anybody's guess, but successful products will almost always