Despite the fact that Microsoft didn’t find it important enough to mention during yesterday’s VIP reception, we think the launch of a web-based version of the Windows Marketplace in conjunction with the Mango roll-out is newsworthy. Just like the App Store, Android Market, and Amazon Appstore for Android, a web-based Marketplace will give users the option to browse and download apps from their PC, and install them onto the phone.
Unlike in the App Store, users can install apps to their phone from the web-based Marketplace through SMS or email. As we’d expect, the web-based Windows Marketplace will integrate your favorite social networks, Twitter and Facebook, letting you share and promote apps, along with the option to share an app through email or an embedded link.
Also, no need to worry about lost apps when you upgrade to a new phone, as the implementation of a web-based Marketplace will allow Microsoft to save your download history. That way, you can easily re-install your apps straight to your new phone. According to the Windows Developer Blog, the web-based Windows Marketplace will launch alongside the Mango update, which should see the light of day “later this year.”
[via Windows Developer Blog]