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Microsoft Corp. plans a central market to sell programs for cell phones running the Windows Mobile system. It hews closely to the setup of Apple Inc.'s App Store for iPhones, with one notable exception - Microsoft promises to communicate more openly with outside software developers.

Apple (nasdaq: AAPL - news - people ) started what has become an "app store" arms race a year ago, giving software programmers a single place to market applications to enthusiastic iPhone owners. The overnight success of the model - Apple claimed 10 million downloads in a weekend - was followed by Google Inc. (nasdaq: GOOG - news - people )'s similar one-stop shop for its Android phone system.

Microsoft (nasdaq: MSFT - news - people ), Nokia Corp. (nyse: NOK - news - people ) and Research in Motion Ltd. (nasdaq: RIMM - news - people ) have announced similar intentions recently.

Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft was set to reveal more details of its own effort Wednesday. Like Apple in its App Store, Microsoft plans to take 30 percent of sales from the Windows Marketplace for Mobile. Software programmers who want to sell applications through the Microsoft store must pay $99 a year for the privilege, the same fee Apple charges. Programmers can set their own prices, starting at 99 cents, or give their programs away, as long as they pass Microsoft's muster.

Apple's App Store gave programmers a way to profit from the iPhone's mounting buzz. It also drew criticism from some who said the company is too secretive about the process. Developers have complained that it takes weeks or more for Apple to approve or reject their submissions and that reasons for rejections are murky or inconsistent.

Apple declined to comment.

Microsoft vows it will be more forthright and responsive than Apple has been.

Among the sector activity stories for Wednesday, Dec. 10, from AP Financial News:

CHICAGO (AP) - Shares of the nation's office suppliers rose Wednesday after Office Depot Inc. (nyse: ODP - news - people ) said it would eliminate 2,200 jobs and close 112 stores in a cost-cutting effort.

NEW YORK (AP) - An FBR Capital Markets (nasdaq: FBCM - news - people ) analyst said Wednesday that Apple Inc. (nasdaq: AAPL - news - people )'s production cutbacks appear to be slackening, in a welcome sign for the company's parts suppliers.

NEW YORK (AP) - Airlines stocks fluctuated Wednesday as the broader markets rose but oil prices also increased.

NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of online travel companies Orbitz Worldwide (nyse: OWW - news - people ) Inc. and Expedia Inc. (nasdaq: EXPE - news - people ) edged lower Wednesday as an analyst said deteriorating travel trends and poor visibility are concerns for both online travel companies.

NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of drybulk shipping companies rose strongly Wednesday on signs that ships may be moving again and rates for the vessels are rising.

NEW YORK (AP) - Shares of credit-card lenders and processors moved slightly lower Wednesday as analysts worried about recent data indicating consumers are pulling out the plastic less frequently as the economy continues to weaken.