Windows Phone users have been downloading apps from the platform's Marketplace since the platform first burst onto the scene in 2010, but it appears that Microsoft may be planning a name change for its app market. The company today took the wraps off of its new Windows Phone Dev Center, and right on the home page of the site, users are invited to publish their apps to the "Windows Phone Store." Another page on the Dev Center site explaining how interested folks can join the program mentions the Windows Phone Store name another three times. When asked about the new name, a Microsoft spokesperson couldn't confirm or deny the change.

Another interesting note about the Dev Center is that on a "Submit and sell" page on the site, it's been revealed that in-app purchases will only be coming to Windows Phone 8, meaning users running Windows Phone 7.8 and below won't be able to drop cash on any in-app items. Interestingly, this same page contains references to the Windows Phone Marketplace rather than the Windows Phone Store, but it's possible that it simply may not be updated yet.

So why the name change? The decision may be meant to better-align Microsoft's properties, as noted by The Verge. The company already has Microsoft Stores and will have the Windows Store for Windows 8, so renaming the Windows Phone app shop to Windows Phone Store could help to make things a little easier for consumers to figure out. The name change may not be a huge one, but it could definitely be something that users of several Windows products appreciate. What do you all think of this potential switch? Do you like "Windows Phone Marketplace" or "Windows Phone Store" better?

Via The Verge, Engadget, Windows Phone Dev Center (1), (2), (3)