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Microsoft, Nokia hit back at Apple with virtual stores
2009-02-17
BARCELONA, Spain (AFP) - Software giant Microsoft and Finnish handset maker Nokia announced the launch of new virtual stores for mobile phone applications on Monday in a clear nod to the success of a similar idea by Apple. US consumer goods group Apple launched its AppStore last July that enables users of its high-end iPhone to download applications for their devices, with games, travel info or news services on offer. The California-based company, which allows other developers to provide applications for the phones, claimed it had its 500,000th download at the end of January. On Monday at industry event Mobile World Congress, Microsoft hit back with its version of the Appstore, which is to be called Windows Marketplace for Mobile. The site will be "an integrated marketplace for searching, browsing and purchasing mobile applications," the company said, adding that developers would have "unrestricted ability to offer applications." Nokia, the world's biggest maker of mobile phones that is also aiming to become a service provider and software developer, said it would launch its Ovi Store for applications and content in May. Users of Nokia phones will be offered personalised content on the site based on their location and preferences and developers will also be encouraged to write applications for download. "Content providers will be able to get their work into the store via a single channel, Publish.Ovi.com, which will be open for content from February 16," the company said in a statement. "The Ovi Store is expected to be brimming with exciting new content by summertime," it added. The applications will only be available for high-end mobile phones, known in the business as "smart phones," which are more like mini computers than traditional mobile phones with their large memories and high processing power. Apple has demonstrated the benefits of opening up its iPhone to outside developers, who have created new applications to add functionality and personalise the devices. Nokia is keen to tap into this creativity which offers consumers choices and improve the user experience. Windows does not manufacture handsets itself, but it is looking to establish its operating system for mobile phones as the industry standard in the same way as it dominates the market for personal computers. It has therefore decided to open up to outside developers to allow them to improve the core Windows product and encourage handset manufacturers to install Windows instead of rival operating systems.
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