Microsoft Windows Marketplace Details, New Dev Policies, WM6.5 Themes

Microsoft have been spilling more details on Windows Mobile 6.5, including screenshots of a newly-refreshed GUI and a long list of over 25 companies signed up to produce content, software and generally lend a hand.  Among the fray will be an official Facebook application – complete with direct photo and video uploads – launched in April, together with games from EA Mobile and Gameloft.  Microsoft have also tweaked the contentious developer policies making issuing updates less expensive.

Developers wishing to update their applications distributed through the Windows Marketplace for Mobile app-store will be able to do so without charge or penalty, now, while users will be able to return purchased apps within 24hrs for a refund.  Other developers onboard include MySpace, Namco, Pandora and Sling Media, Spb Software and Netflix.

As for the new, colorful theme, that's been created using the Microsoft Theme Generator, which will make creating custom wallpapers and color-schemes more straightforward.  This particular theme is by Mizrahi, but Microsoft plan more designer themes by the Design Museum London and Council of Fashion Designers of America.  More at SlashPhone.

We've also got minimum specs for existing Windows Mobile 6.1 devices looking to upgrade to 6.5.  Smartphones will need at least a 400MHz processor and 128MB of RAM, though the final decision to officially release the OS is up to the manufacturer/licensee as Microsoft won't be making WM6.5 available to individuals.