O2 a mobile carrier in the UK are launching an App Store for mobile apps across multiple platforms (apps are available for Windows Mobile, Symbian, Java ME, Flash Mobile, BlackBerry, Linux and Unix)
http://www.trustedreviews.com/mobile-phones/news/2008/12/16/O2-Tests--Litmus--Multi-Platform-App-Store/p1
I love the quote "And no, the iPhone isn't part of this - Apple, doesn't share remember!"
Personally i dont understand why someone hasn't done this earlier. Using wurfl it's a snap to be able to monitor which handset is visiting the store and present the selections appropriate to the visitors handset model.
I purchased the domains;
http://www.mobileappstore.com/
http://www.mobileappstore.net/
http://www.mobileappstore.org/
http://www.mobileappstore.mobi/
a little while ago with the view to setting up an application rating community but for now have held off on doing anything with them as I've already had a few offers to buy them so i might flip them before implementing a destination site, I'm just waiting to see if i get some counter offers.
Either way I think 2009 is going to be a huge money spinner for mobile application developers....I'm just not sure if Apple will still be leading at the end of 2009 in the same way it is at the end of 2008.
Cheers,
Dean
I think O2 is just jumping on the buzz word of the moment. Operators and
ReplyDeletecontent delivery companies have been detecting the device and providing
the right applications for years, simply it was not obvious to the
masses, it was happening in the background.
The App stores have existed for years and they were part of the operator
portal, sometimes linked from the homepage sometimes even with deep
links directly on the homepage.
Reading the article (and no, I was not at the official presentation last
week), the only difference seems to be that applications will go up and
down in ranking based on how well they sell and there will also be space
for free apps. That does not seem so revolutionary and in fact, I
wouldn't be surprised if a) the apps on the Apple App Store were moved
up and down manually when needed and b) if this will happen in Litmus
when EA or Gameloft or some other big name releases a game.
From what I see, the only revolution is that publishers will not need
to go through the lengthy process of getting an agreement with the operator.
Handango and getjar have been around for years, why isn't anyone
screaming about their gorgeous idea?
And about more app stores coming:
http://blog.trasatti.it/2008/11/everyone-wants-app-store-these-days.html
- Andrea