Vodafone App Store – Cross platform Applications

Vodafone has just announced the idea of an app store, where developers could create internet applications to reach millions of devices, irrespective of mobile platforms. The idea looks great since users no longer have to bind themselves to a single platform like the iphone OS or the blackberry platform.

Vodafone building new app store

The past year has seen some tremendous success stories of app stores from various vendors and vodafone comes out with a smart way to capitalize on the same. While the idea is innovative, the possibilities of reinventing the wheel hits Vodafone again. Will a iphone user go for a twitter app that is native to iphone or should he try a new version from vodafone?

Vodafone seems to have done the ground work right with the app store by creating a perfect working platform for the developers. Vodafone is offering APIs which allow access to network details like location awareness and other details, and there will be a Vodafone software development Kit – Vodafone SDK.

Cross mobile platform is the target, but ironically, the apps will fist roll out and be native to Nokia 60 series and will slowly be ported to other platforms. The success of the vodafone app store, would heavily depend on the ease of portability between platforms. Vodafone is counting on the use of a new technology management layer, supported by Service Oriented Architecture (SOA).

Vodafone user base

Vodafone is banking on the current user baseof about 300 million, across the globe. Apple has a smaller base, but was able to sell more than a billion apps on its app store. Developers will be able to charge the customers with the billing system, built by Vodafone and Vodafone plans to have the system running on a revenue sharing model. The system is under idea phase and is expected to be in operations in a year. Vodapone also expressed its openeess to talk with mobile vendors, which will enable them to work with the cross platform adherence.