Singapore mobile operator SingTel will have an app store up and running by the end of the year. When the App Zone is active, we’ll be one step closer to everybody having an application store.
As you might expect from an operator, the SingTel App Zone will be platform agnostic. Apps will be available on-line or over the mobile Web for a selection of smartphone operating systems, as well as Java apps feature phones. The OS support so far announced is Symbian, Windows Mobile and Android.
The App Zone will also host links to iPhone apps, though iPhone users won’t be able to buy them through App Zone. They’ll have to link through to the Apple store.
An important focus for SingTel is to make sure that third party apps and Singapore-specific apps get top billing on the network. Because those kinds of apps can get lost in the bigger stores, the App Zone will give them prominent placement. This is part of the reason why it will be hosting iPhone links – so that Singapore iPhone apps will be more visible.
Via CNET Asia
What we think?
This is pretty good. It reminds me of the Mobile Market that China Mobile recently announced. Having connections to a variety of the most popular smartphones is a good idea… but having those apps targeted is an even better idea. This store is specifically targeted at people in Singapore. Local developers and apps get a better showing, and Singapore phone-owners get a better service thanks to more relevant apps. I like it.
This is very high level. Don’t you think this is just another press release being picked up without looking under the hood? I am missing the secret sauce here particularly from one the bigger operators and supposedly the “innovative operator in Asia” (outside Korea and Japan). Local filtering and relevance….eg editorial is what you see right? Who manages that the users or some ivory tower, central command and control editorial team?
- Like your first paragraph they need to get something out there to be like everyone else and have an appstore
- wow how surprising is that supporting Java, symbian, windows and android….are there any other relevant smartphone OS’s
- will Singtel be getting their own apps or relying on the third party marketplaces from the above software companies to feed them the apps?
- If so how does this work in the revenue breakdown for the developers and if not see my question below
– If I have an iphone why would i even consider going to the appzone which is 2 or 3 clicks away from actually getting me to the appstore vs 1 touch on my iphone
- Top billing… what does that mean….will i have to pay for the placement on the appzone for preferred treatment
- what is the revenue split on appzone for the developers?
- What is the revenue share for the developers?
- Does this cover all of the Singtel group operators or is this just for the Singapore operations?
Lastly this is an anouncement today for something towards the end of the year….mmmmmmhhhhh. Quite long to get this up and running for an operator don’t you think? Let’s hold em to it
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