Comments on: Applications Stores True Game Changers

By: Oded V

Oded V — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:13:35 +0000

Harel, as you correctly pointed out the major problem with off-portal stores is the billing problem because off-portals cannot use the mobile account in order to charge the consumer.
Interesting to see that Handango, that has been the leading app store for years, has just partnered with Best Buy to offer an in-store app sales - soothing the billing experience for less savvy users.

By: Levi Shapiro

Levi Shapiro — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 10:47:14 +0000

Android is the underying OS for Clearwire’s 4G WiMax roll-out in the United States. Given the companies who have invested in the joint venture (the #1, #2 and #5 US cable companies; the #3 mobile operator) have a national footprint, this is a great time for developers to begin experimenting with Android applications.

By: Vladislav Bogomolny

Vladislav Bogomolny — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 21:42:57 +0000

Looks like offline portals are going to catch it’s market. This is a good chance for start-ups like mPortico to develop solution for market needs.

By: Harel Shattenstein

Harel Shattenstein — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:12:52 +0000

I do not underestimate the ability of the App store to generate revenue even after the hype goes down.
Truly not the same case for the operators which give Apple the power to run the App Store.

Saying you are right and porting Android applications will be same as Windows Mobile, One thing is sure the Android Market will help developers spread their apps.
That way Microsoft is working on it own store “Skymarket”.
The war on developers has started!

By: ginswizzle

ginswizzle — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:10:59 +0000

good article. two points I disagree with:

*operator’s app revenue from iPhone may quickly (if it doesn’t already) exceed app revenue from all other phones because hype is so high and acquisition is so easy. ringtones and wallpapers aside, the **purchased mobile applications** market is relatively small and immature. the iPhone likely isn’t forcing operators to give up revenue for other forms of goodwill.

*there is no evidence to suggest that commonality of the Android developer experience / API set across devices will be any better than that it is for Windows Mobile - which is actually very good and should be much better with Pocket PC and Smartphone combined in WM 7. It’s also not that bad for Symbian/S60 (UIQ doesn’t matter any more), although Nokia models dominate and Nokia adds “lead features” (beyond simply adopting newer S60 releases) in almost every model that fragments the developer experience to a somewhat greater degree.

By: Shimon Constante

Shimon Constante — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 11:53:38 +0000

you should check mPortico for the real answer