Verizon Announces Upcoming App Store for Androids
Today, Verizon, the telecommunications company, announced that it is currently developing the Verizon App Store for Android phones. The app store is expected to be ready by the end of 2010. Verizon is currently accepting app submissions for the Android 2.2.
Verizon already launched a V Cast app store, with its partner Research in Motion (RIM), for the BlackBerry Storm 2 this past March. Verizon wants to expand its grasp beyond RIM mobile devices, which is why it decided to launch an app store for Android phones instead of BlackBerry smartphones. Some of the smartphones that will support the new Verizon app store include the Droid, Droid X, Incredible, Fascinate and even the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Greg Haller, the vice president of consumer solutions at Verizon, commented. He said, “Some have asked- Verizon, what are you thinking? Is there really a need for another store? We think so. We’ll help customers find apps and let them decide how they want to get them.”
Verizon also announced a number of other things, include releasing network and messaging APIs to developers. Verizon is also developing the NAVBuilding Inside (NBI), which is a platform that will have mapping, navigation and location based services. NBI will be available for Android, BlackBerry, Brew and Windows Mobile operating systems. Haller hopes that app developers will take advantage of NBI as they build new applications.
“We reaffirm our commitment to getting apps through the [approval] process quickly,” Haller said. “However, we’re going to test our apps [and] review content. It’s about ensuring them a great customer experience… The bottom line is we know we have to do better [to make sure] you get what you need when you need it.”
Verizon hopes to release this new app store as soon as possible. By the end of this year, they expect the Verizon App Store to be very popular.
[Photo courtesy of droid-life.]
