Windows Phone 7 OS App Store Off to a Good Start

Windows Phone 7 OS has allegedly set a launch date of October 7th. There are a couple of manufacturers set to house the new and improved Microsoft mobile OS guts (Samsung & HTC). AT&T will be the first U.S. carrier for the rest of the year before the other carriers hop on.

All that’s left are the apps. In my opinion, apps (short for mobile applications) are the keystone to any good smartphone, so for the new WP7 OS to succeed, it is mandatory that it have the mobile app developer community on it’s side in order for it to prosper.

I think Microsoft recognizes this and in addition to tightly integrating with its own mobile apps (Office, Hotmail, Xbox, Bing, etc.), it has put together a sweet little set of WP7 apps that will launch alongside this Microsoft’s reentry into the mobile OS war.

Similar to Apple, Android and BlackBerry, Microsoft will have its own Marketplace where you will be able to find apps for your sexy new phone. Microsoft already has a “Zune Marketplace” to download music, and an “Xbox Marketplace” where you will be able to download Microsoft-specific gaming apps. So let’s take alook at some of the notable third-party apps that should be available when the OS and the phones are launched:

Netflix – Browse Netflix genres, add and edit your movie queue, and watch your instant queue right on your WP7 phone.

Twitter – WP7 has an official Twitter client, so be ready to tweet via the custom WP7 experience.

Flixster – Movie trailers, reviews, and ratings, theater times and more on your WP7 phone.

OpenTable – Search for available tables and book reservations at the popular restaurant reservations from your WP7 phone.

Travelocity – Check and book airlines, hotels, and car rentals, read reviews and check your itinerary. You will find some of the same Travelocity features native to their site on your WP7 phone.

…and that’s just the “promoted” list from Microsoft. If Microsoft can craft a solid relationship with mobile app developers (here’s looking at you Apple) look for many more apps to make their way to the new Windows Phone 7 OS.

About the Author
Terrance Gaines is a husband, father and self-proclaimed Technology Evangelist who shares tech news, reviews, tips and tricks on his blog BrothaTech.com as well as other sites and in print media. You can also find him talking "all things tech" on Twitter @BrothaTech.
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