Yesterday at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, the software maker has announced that it start accepting submission for the Windows Marketplace. Microsoft’s app store will go live sometime in the fall (not sure about that, but it will definitely be available before Christmas) and as of July 27 software developers can send their applications to Microsoft for Windows Marketplace approval.

Previously Microsoft announced that 600 apps will be available at the Windows Marketplace at launch date, and we’re hoping that most of them will be useful in one way or another.

We’ve seen that the App Catalog has been very successful so far as the Palm Pre owners downloaded thousands of times the small amount of apps available for them. Considering the fact that the App Catalog features apps only for the Palm Pre, the Windows Marketplace has to be a huge success as there are a plethora of smartphones running on Windows Mobile 6.0, and Windows Mobile 6.1.

Before saying that I made a mistake let me tell you that I know Microsoft said that the Windows Marketplace will provide apps only for Windows Mobile 6.5, however, at yesterday’s WPC the company said that their app store will also be available for WinMo 6.0 and 6.1.

For the moment Microsoft didn’t announce when WinMo 6.5 will become available, but we’re eagerly anticipating for it and we’re going for an early-fall release, probably sometime in September after the Zune HD is released. I am 99% sure that Microsoft wants to launch the Zune HD first, and then launch the Windows Marketplace because the multimedia player comes with Nvidia Tegra therefore it will support games. The Windows Marketplace will be full of games / apps and Microsoft has to compete against the iPod Touch. A long list of good apps in the Windows Marketplace will help a lot. Just think about it, and you will know that I’m right.

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