A month ago, Microsoft announced that Windows Mobile Marketplace, the precursor to Windows Phone’s Marketplace, would be discontinued on May 9th. Today, one month after the announcement and before the discontinuation date, they sent out a reminder for all Windows Mobile users.
Beginning May 9, 2012, the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace service will no longer be available. Starting on this date, you will no longer be able to browse, buy or download applications directly on your Windows Mobile 6.x phone using the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace application and service.
Regarding the applications and games already purchased, Microsoft recommends you “review the applications or games installed on your Windows Mobile 6.x phone and install any available updates in advance of the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace service shut-down on May 9, 2012.”
Please note: All phone data, including applications acquired through the Windows Mobile 6.x Marketplace service, data and user-specific settings, will be deleted from your Windows Mobile 6.x phone in the event that your phone is wiped or “hard reset.” Any data on a removable storage card, if present, will also be deleted if your phone is wiped or “hard reset”.
Microsoft also reminds users that many of their applications and games may still be purchased directly from developers or from third-party app stores. The full announcement follows:
