Pitchforks up! Verizon planning own app store, won't include Windows Marketplace

Why is it that Verizon is starting to remind me of Communist China? You want to like them...you start to like them...and then they pull a stunt like this.

GSM mate, go unlocked and bypass all the carrier crap.

Why are people trying to make this out as a big deal?

All Verizon said was that the only store they're including as an icon (or bookmark) on their smartphones will be their own.

So what?

They're not blocking anyone from going to any other store, just as we've all done for years.

Sounds as though you'll be able to install the marketplace as a separate cab. That really blows though that Verizon will not ship the marketplace on devices. True that they're not blocking marketplace, but if it's not already on the device, how many people are seriously going to seek it out? Most of them that don't notice that marketplace hasn't been installed on their device don't even know that WM marketplace exists. This is a horrible move and is not at all beneficial to the end user. I suppose Verizon thinks they have Microsoft over a barrel because Verizon is too big a partner for Microsoft to react negatively to this action.

http://developer.windowsmobile.com/Help.aspx?id=b838a8fb-294b-434f-afec-...

Can customers, OEMs, or mobile operators remove the Windows Marketplace for Mobile client from phones?
No. The Windows Marketplace for Mobile client is part of the Windows Mobile operating system and neither customers, manufacturers, nor mobile operators can remove it.

One more reason to love Verizon...did you notice the sarcasm?

Yeah, but did anyone notice the actual quote from Verizon about aggregating content from multiple development communities? In my opinion, it sounds like Verizon wants to incorporate their branding into their own app store ui, but basically create a one-stop shop. I think everyone is taking this as terrible news without having the full details. What if it truly ends up being one UI for multiple app stores? I think that would be a good thing.

Could you imagine if Kraft, Betty Crocker, and countless other brands had their own stores? A supermarket makes a hell of a lot more sense.

This is killing Windows Mobile for consumers, and extending the life of iPhones and Dashes and Wings another year atleast. When will WiMo become buzzworthy? When it has an effortless app distribution system. How will that happen? When Marketplace becomes standard on all new devices, and when Microsoft places it's foot down forcing carriers to carry Marketplace in all WiMo phones post Sept' 09. Just when I thought Verizon was turning a leaf..

And wait a second, does this mean They're planning on carrying WiMo 6.1 devices after 6.5 launches in August? Does that mean no upgrades to 6.5? Why, those bastards.