T-Mobile USA seen cloning iPhone's App Store
Hoping to ride the coattails of the App Store for iPhone and iPod touch, T-Mobile's US branch is allegedly developing a unified software store that would mimic Apple's but apply to every single device in the carrier's stable.
Rather than offer the usual app deck, which often varies by the phone operating system (as with Apple's solution) and even from device to device, T-Mobile would reportedly offer a store that covers all its devices, from simple phones that only support Java apps to smartphone-level operating systems such as Google Android and Windows Mobile.
The multiple sources making these claims to mocoNews also outline a submission and promotional system that will seem familiar to participants in the iPhone SDK Development Program. Much like Apple's App Store process, the T-Mobile service will make it easier for smaller developers to sell an app by submitting it online. Unlike some carrier-managed decks but closer to that for iPhone, T-Mobile is also believed to be taking a hands-off approach to highlighting apps that pass T-Mobile's scrutiny; users would simply see the most downloaded programs on top of searching for others.
Payment wouldn't be as simple as with the App Store, which sees Apple ask for a relatively low 30 percent cut of revenues regardless of app size or price. It's nonetheless perceived as "very generous" by those with early access and is largely dependent on the bandwidth used by a given app, with streaming video and other bandwidth-intensive software giving T-Mobile a greater slice of revenues than simple text-driven or offline apps.
T-Mobile has said nothing publicly about its plans but has already launched a developer site that would help software teams build their programs, although the carrier doesn't make any mention of its larger plans outside of allusions to "new ways to go to market" in the next several weeks.
Multiple factors are already thought to be coming into play, including the siphoning effect the iPhone has on its customer base. T-Mobile is relatively small and carries just 31.5 million active customers versus market leader AT&T's 72.9 million -- a problem which is made all the more apparent by a growth rate half that of AT&T. While it took T-Mobile three months to add 668,000 users in the spring, Apple's iPhone 3G sold a million devices during its opening weekend alone -- a large portion of which were bought by AT&T customers.
T-Mobile is also part of Google's Open Handset Alliance, which not only promotes Android but pushes the notion of open software development for cellphones.
With a single go-to location for apps, T-Mobile could potentially upturn the normally closed US cellular market, which has only recently begun to loosen its control over which programs customers can run with initiatives such as Verizon's Any Apps, Any Device and Sprint's unrestricted, WiMAX-based Xohm network. Still, the prize for T-Mobile is said by one developer to be less about revolutionizing the phone market and more about creating an allure for its service that transcends any one handset, in contrast to AT&T's dependence on the iPhone and other star devices.
"The App store was a big deal, but that?s one phone," the anonymous developer says. "This is an entire carrier."
Rather than offer the usual app deck, which often varies by the phone operating system (as with Apple's solution) and even from device to device, T-Mobile would reportedly offer a store that covers all its devices, from simple phones that only support Java apps to smartphone-level operating systems such as Google Android and Windows Mobile.
The multiple sources making these claims to mocoNews also outline a submission and promotional system that will seem familiar to participants in the iPhone SDK Development Program. Much like Apple's App Store process, the T-Mobile service will make it easier for smaller developers to sell an app by submitting it online. Unlike some carrier-managed decks but closer to that for iPhone, T-Mobile is also believed to be taking a hands-off approach to highlighting apps that pass T-Mobile's scrutiny; users would simply see the most downloaded programs on top of searching for others.
Payment wouldn't be as simple as with the App Store, which sees Apple ask for a relatively low 30 percent cut of revenues regardless of app size or price. It's nonetheless perceived as "very generous" by those with early access and is largely dependent on the bandwidth used by a given app, with streaming video and other bandwidth-intensive software giving T-Mobile a greater slice of revenues than simple text-driven or offline apps.
T-Mobile has said nothing publicly about its plans but has already launched a developer site that would help software teams build their programs, although the carrier doesn't make any mention of its larger plans outside of allusions to "new ways to go to market" in the next several weeks.
Multiple factors are already thought to be coming into play, including the siphoning effect the iPhone has on its customer base. T-Mobile is relatively small and carries just 31.5 million active customers versus market leader AT&T's 72.9 million -- a problem which is made all the more apparent by a growth rate half that of AT&T. While it took T-Mobile three months to add 668,000 users in the spring, Apple's iPhone 3G sold a million devices during its opening weekend alone -- a large portion of which were bought by AT&T customers.
T-Mobile is also part of Google's Open Handset Alliance, which not only promotes Android but pushes the notion of open software development for cellphones.
With a single go-to location for apps, T-Mobile could potentially upturn the normally closed US cellular market, which has only recently begun to loosen its control over which programs customers can run with initiatives such as Verizon's Any Apps, Any Device and Sprint's unrestricted, WiMAX-based Xohm network. Still, the prize for T-Mobile is said by one developer to be less about revolutionizing the phone market and more about creating an allure for its service that transcends any one handset, in contrast to AT&T's dependence on the iPhone and other star devices.
"The App store was a big deal, but that?s one phone," the anonymous developer says. "This is an entire carrier."
Comments
Hoping to ride the coattails of the App Store for iPhone and iPod touch, T-Mobile's US branch is allegedly developing a unified software store that would mimic Apple's but apply to every single device in the carrier's stable.
Rather than offer the usual app deck, which often varies by the phone operating system (as with Apple's solution) and even from device to device, T-Mobile would reportedly offer a store that covers all its devices, from simple phones that only support Java apps to smartphone-level operating systems such as Google Android and Windows Mobile.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
I can't wait to see what happens when a user downloads a program for like $20.00 and then goes to find it's not compatible with their phone/OS lol
Based on its existing softwareload.de desktop application online store it added a new section for mobile applications.
Grouped by devices more than 10.000 applications are already available. Either as a direct download via SMS Code to your handset or as a download to your desktop and then transfer to your mobile.
Check out the page i.e. for Nokias N95 series:
http://mobil.softwareload.de/device:...N95/index.html
Oh and by the way. In case you loose your mobile you are allowed to redownload the software up to two years later.
T-Mobile in Germany just launched a mobile Application store.
Based on its existing softwareload.de desktop application online store it added a new section for mobile applications.
Grouped by devices more than 10.000 applications are already available. Either as a direct download via SMS Code to your handset or as a download to your desktop and then transfer to your mobile.
Check out the page i.e. for Nokias N95 series:
http://mobil.softwareload.de/device:...N95/index.html
Oh and by the way. In case you loose your mobile you are allowed to redownload the software up to two years later.
Mmm... I checked the page and at least 1 program, ChessGenius, has a Gratis Demo Downloden.
http://mobil.softwareload.de/device:...9_details.html
At least I have more faith in T-Mobile than I do in AT&T and, worst of all, Verizon.
Just think! Now all the fans of other phones can add another 'me too!' to their bullet point list!
That's possibly why the Yahoo music store failed so dismally.
I doubt most of their apps will run on my Sonny Ericsson P802, P910 or P990 phones.
(That I of course didn't buy from any US phone company)
T-Mobile in Germany just launched a mobile Application store.
Based on its existing softwareload.de desktop application online store it added a new section for mobile applications.
Grouped by devices more than 10.000 applications are already available. Either as a direct download via SMS Code to your handset or as a download to your desktop and then transfer to your mobile.
Check out the page i.e. for Nokias N95 series:
http://mobil.softwareload.de/device:...N95/index.html
Oh and by the way. In case you loose your mobile you are allowed to redownload the software up to two years later.
Man, that is one of the ugliest most confusing web pages I have seen in a while. If that's what they are going to go head to head with the app store with, Apple has nothing to worry about.
Man, that is one of the ugliest most confusing web pages I have seen in a while. If that's what they are going to go head to head with the app store with, Apple has nothing to worry about.
yes - that's an intensely crowded page. i'm curious what it looks like on a mobile browser...
yes - that's an intensely crowded page. i'm curious what it looks like on a mobile browser...
well, then you haven't seen their iTunes Store pendant: www.musicload.de
or their games on demand store: www.gamesload.de
at least there Video on Demand store looks a little bit more tidy: www.videoload.de:)
see the pattern...
The problem will be that T-Mobile in the US doesn't offer any useful phones.
I doubt most of their apps will run on my Sonny Ericsson P802, P910 or P990 phones.
(That I of course didn't buy from any US phone company)
I'll second that. The "best" phone I could get from T-mo was a clunky Samsung not-so-smartphone clamshell model. They have got to get on the bloody ball and start offering customers something worth owning, even though it can't come close to iPhone functionality.
Hoping to ride the coattails of the App Store for iPhone and iPod touch, T-Mobile's US branch is allegedly developing a unified software store that would mimic Apple's but apply to every single device in the carrier's stable.
Rather than offer the usual app deck, which often varies by the phone operating system (as with Apple's solution) and even from device to device, T-Mobile would reportedly offer a store that covers all its devices, from simple phones that only support Java apps to smartphone-level operating systems such as Google Android and Windows Mobile.
The multiple sources making these claims to mocoNews also outline a submission and promotional system that will seem familiar to participants in the iPhone SDK Development Program. Much like Apple's App Store process, the T-Mobile service will make it easier for smaller developers to sell an app by submitting it online. Unlike some carrier-managed decks but closer to that for iPhone, T-Mobile is also believed to be taking a hands-off approach to highlighting apps that pass T-Mobile's scrutiny; users would simply see the most downloaded programs on top of searching for others.
Payment wouldn't be as simple as with the App Store, which sees Apple ask for a relatively low 30 percent cut of revenues regardless of app size or price. It's nonetheless perceived as "very generous" by those with early access and is largely dependent on the bandwidth used by a given app, with streaming video and other bandwidth-intensive software giving T-Mobile a greater slice of revenues than simple text-driven or offline apps.
T-Mobile has said nothing publicly about its plans but has already launched a developer site that would help software teams build their programs, although the carrier doesn't make any mention of its larger plans outside of allusions to "new ways to go to market" in the next several weeks.
Multiple factors are already thought to be coming into play, including the siphoning effect the iPhone has on its customer base. T-Mobile is relatively small and carries just 31.5 million active customers versus market leader AT&T's 72.9 million -- a problem which is made all the more apparent by a growth rate half that of AT&T. While it took T-Mobile three months to add 668,000 users in the spring, Apple's iPhone 3G sold a million devices during its opening weekend alone -- a large portion of which were bought by AT&T customers.
T-Mobile is also part of Google's Open Handset Alliance, which not only promotes Android but pushes the notion of open software development for cellphones.
With a single go-to location for apps, T-Mobile could potentially upturn the normally closed US cellular market, which has only recently begun to loosen its control over which programs customers can run with initiatives such as Verizon's Any Apps, Any Device and Sprint's unrestricted, WiMAX-based Xohm network. Still, the prize for T-Mobile is said by one developer to be less about revolutionizing the phone market and more about creating an allure for its service that transcends any one handset, in contrast to AT&T's dependence on the iPhone and other star devices.
"The App store was a big deal, but that?s one phone," the anonymous developer says. "This is an entire carrier."
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
They don't have the phone to RUN this kind of new breed of apps, and they don't have the easy Cocoa Touch SDK to MAKE the new apps. But they can have the store at least
What kind of new apps are you referring to?
Out of the 1000+ apps I haven't found 1 I will pay for. They are all in their Beta states and I'm not spending money on Crap to wait for the right upgrade to come out.
100 Flashlight's
100 Books & Flash Cards
500 Games
etc, etc, etc.
The app store is a complete disappointment for me as a business user.
I don't wanat Games and Tip Calculators.
It T-Mobile can do it and do it better than more power to them.
What all the Apple fans should be concerned about and I'm thrilled is RIM has finally gotten the right idea for Business and Personal use and they have 1000's of apps.
For all the Apple Sheep out there that follow Apple with no question, you should be thrilled with the new competition.
Obviously you'll continue to buy Apple (as numbers show) but for myself it gives me an alternative to compare it too.
GO RIM AND GO T-MOBILE. IT WILL GET STEVE OFF HIS BEHIND AND QUIT GIVING APOLOGIES AND START WITH 3.0.
IF NOT MY IPHONE IS THE NEXT RAZR.
Man, that is one of the ugliest most confusing web pages I have seen in a while. If that's what they are going to go head to head with the app store with, Apple has nothing to worry about.
...to the land of the ugliest web design on the planet! Believe me, you haven't seen nothing so ugly, unusable, cluster-f***ed as the media and business sites here. Even big name manufacturers have different sites for the US and Germany. Check out Mercedes for an example. Also a major ClusterF... the sister site of T-Mobile, T-Online.
Test: can someone pull that URL up on an iPhone and post what it looks like? That would be interesting, if not plain funny... or sad however ya look at it.
I would say it's due to the influence of that major ugly OS platform...
Too many friends have conveyed what a joke that group was during the days of Voicestream and aftewards.
By the way T-Mobile: It's not ``just one phone.'' It's an entire end-to-end platform which will begin to blossom as more devices are released by Apple.
...to the land of the ugliest web design on the planet! Believe me, you haven't seen nothing so ugly, unusable, cluster-f***ed as the media and business sites here. Even big name manufacturers have different sites for the US and Germany. Check out Mercedes for an example. Also a major ClusterF... the sister site of T-Mobile, T-Online.
Test: can someone pull that URL up on an iPhone and post what it looks like? That would be interesting, if not plain funny... or sad however ya look at it.
I would say it's due to the influence of that major ugly OS platform...
What is with all the advertisements on T-Online's site? That looks extremely tacky.
T-Mobile USA is still using Cold Fusion for their Job search? That is one eye-sore of a web site.