While Microsoft doesn’t explicitly disallow browsers in the WP7 marketplace, a developer duo just got their app rejected for just that reason. Daniel and Katka Vaughan were told that the reason their app wouldn’t be allowed is because “failed testcase 2.1 because its primarily functionality is a web browsing experience.”
Does this mean that Microsoft will start disallowing apps that offer alternatives to officially produced Redmond approved ones? Isn’t this the antithesis of Microsoft’s heavy emphasis on developers?
Unfortunately, we don’t know very much at this juncture, but hopefully more information will come to light, and this isn’t the start of new, more restrictive rules for the WP7 Marketplace.
Update: despite earlier reports to the contrary, Opera will not be producing their browser on WP7 either
i hope it’s not true, i’m waiting for opera mobile
Well they just announced that Opera will debut on WP7 next week. Whether that means it’ll be released next week, I’m not sure:
http://www.opera.com/press/releases/2011/03/17_2/
Well apparently I was wrong. WPCentral attempted to confirm with Opera and it turns out they’re releasing Opera Mobile for Windows 7, not WP7.
http://www.wpcentral.com/update-opera-mobile-not-coming-wp7
Aren’t there already alternate browsers in the Marketplace? That, in and of itself, would make this assertion untrue.