Today at Mobile2.0 in Barcelona, Vodafone spoke about the Vodafone 360 App Store. Only two days ago, Vodafone announced that the Vodafone 360 services would be extended to Android devices. According to Vodafone, the launch of the Vodafone 360 shop for Android highlights Vodafone’s commitment to bringing the 360 Shop to popular, market-leading handsets. By doing so, Vodafone aims to offer developers an attractive native or cross-platform proposition.
In conjunction with the recent launch of the Vodafone 360 Shop for Android, Vodafone started a Beta program to enable free native Android apps to be presented for submission to the Vodafone 360 shop. These native Android apps will be available in the 360 shop alongside the JIL-based apps.
Besides all app store news, Vodafone launched an Object Browser aimed at developers, powered by Uxebo. Using Object Browser, developers can retrieve phone capabilities and available APIs in one click.
According to Vodafone’s presentation of today, over 8,500 apps have been published to the 360 Shop till today. Eight European markets range over 100 different handsets capable of accessing the Vodafone 360 services.
The Vodafone 360 Shop on Android will launch this summer on the HTC Wildfire and Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro.
Only a few days ago we wrote about new monetizing methods on the 360 platform. As it seems now, Vodafone wants to get a piece of the Android application sales as well, by opening the Android App Shop on their 360 platform.
To build and maintain this store, Vodafone made a deal with Arvato Mobile, a German based provider of digital entertainment. While Arvato is targeting on free content, publishing paid apps is also possible. For sales in the App Shop the common 70/30 split will be applicable and billed via carrier billing. Initially, the Android App Shop will be available in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, but since the Vodafone network covers many more countries, expansion is expected.
Vodafone’s 360 app store was launched last September and offers a collection of mobile widgets to Vodafone subscribers in eight countries. Initially, developers could only offer free applications. Now Vodafone announced the support to publishing paid apps on the 360 platform.
Developers can publish paid apps in one or more of the eight supported European countries. Application prices are set in 20 tiers between 0.49 and 9.99 euro and can be selected for every country individually by the developer.
The widgets offered in the 360 store are based on the JIL platform, an iniative by operators China Mobile, Softbank, Verizon and Vodafone, backed up by manufacturers like LG, RIM and Samsung that was started 2 years ago. Vodafone says they provide developers with simple upload methods, a transparent review process (within 10 business days) and in-depth reporting of country specific downloads and revenue.
The revenue share for paid apps is 70% and consumers are charged via Vodafone operator billing. Right now 50 different handset models are supported, including the Vodafone 360 H1 and M1 phones from Samsung, and a collection of Symbian/ S60 phones from Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Samsung. More information for developers is available on the new developer site.
About a month ago we reported on the launch of two domestic appstores in India. As it appears now, Vodafone India already launched their app store on February 15, but only revealed its existence after they crossed the 10,000 downloads figure.
The new app store offers around 800 apps, which are both local and international. Only 15% of the apps are free of charge, which is compared to other appstore a rather low figure. However, most paid apps are in the Rs. 5 to Rs. 30 range (<1 USD).
Vodafone decided to outsource the development of the store and launched the store along with the Arvato Mobile, a content logistics and service delivery platform. Since Vodafone already rolled out their 360 platform in various countries, they now run two platforms.
Vodafone 360 was launched in September 2009, which contained about 1,000 applications at the time. Now Vodafone announced that their store currently contains over 7,000 applications across the eight European countries it is currently available in:
Germany
Greece
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
Portugal
Spain
United Kingdom
Additionally Vodafone expects that by March 2010, more than two million devices incorporating 50 different handsets that are capable of accessing Vodafone’s store will have been shipped. Nothing has been announced yet regarding expansion to additional countries.
We have updated appstores.info with Vodafone’s new milestone.
On October 29, Vodafone launched its new 360 service, which also includes an app store. 360 launched in Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK and will be followed by launches in a number of other countries in 2010, including India, Turkey, South Africa, New Zealand, Romania and France.
Right now, the 360 Application and Games Shop is only available for owners of the Vodafone 360 Samsung H1 phone. Curious how the store looks? Well, here is a video from the Vodafone Help Centre that gives a good impression:
A few takes from the video:
The store offers Games, Apps, Music, Ringtones and Videos;
Vodafone presents featured items per content category;
Content is browsable based on Best rated, Most recent, Most downloaded, Recommended or various sub-categories (e.g. Gaming-Sports);
Games and Applications have a description, screenshots and user ratings.
What is not displayed in the video is how a consumer can pay for his purchases. Vodafone has a direct billing relationships with its customers for voice, SMS and data. This billing relationship is utilized in the Shop. For customers that have a monthly contract, the costs cost of any content item they buy will be added to the monthly bill. For pay as you go customers, the cost of any content item will be deducted from the available credit.
Next to the content presented in the video, Vodafone will also enter a segment that not many of the other major stores have: Adult Content. See this section from the Vodafone 360 FAQ:
Is there adult content for sale in Shop?
Currently no, but it’s coming soon to some countries. Adult content will appear as a sub-category within the main content categories like Games and Apps.
How do I access adult content?
In most countries where it’s available, you’ll need a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to access the adult content. When you try to access content that’s rated as “adult”, you’ll be prompted to enter the PIN. A PIN is not required in every country however. Specifically, in the Spanish market, you simply need to confirm your age to gain access. To block content for younger users, you need to contact Vodafone Customer Services.
Adult Content has been present on several operator decks for years. Until now, the major app stores out there have stayed away from this. Apple has been pulling several adult content items from the App Store, though quite a selection of items in the store are not that different from adult content.
Will Vodafone be the only store allowing Adult Content? Probably not. Restrictions for younger users then becomes an important issue. Vodafone will use a PIN code in most countries to verify your age, which in most cases they can check with your subscription. However, like Vodafone notes, in some countries a user only has to confirm his age to remove any content restrictions.
The Vodafone app store is just getting started and it will be interesting to see where it will go. The billing relationship with consumers definitely offers big potential. We will keep you posted as the store becomes available for more consumers, and more content is added.
f you’re on a pay monthly contract, the cost of any content you buy will be added to your monthly bill.
If you’re a pay as you go customer, the cost of any content will be deducted from your available credit.
At the end of September, Vodafone announced 360, “A Suite of Innovative, New Internet Services for Mobile and PC”:
An address book that integrates with social networks.
A collection of applications, games, music and maps for mobile phones, PC and Mac.
A phone backup service for contacts and other phone content.
An app store with around 1,000 applications.
For us the most interesting part of course is the app store. There are however very little details enclosed. This is all Vodafone has announced so far:
a catalogue of over one thousand Apps at launch available to different handsets, downloadable through the Vodafone Shop
We are very curious what kind of platforms the store will support. Most likely there will be a strong focus on mobile widgets.
Several sources have confirmed that Vodafone 360 will be launching to consumers tomorrow. The 360 website changed from promotional material to the image below, indicating that the launch is getting close:
Vodafone 360 website
360 will launch in Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK and will be followed by launches in a number of other countries in 2010, including India, Turkey, South Africa, New Zealand, Romania and France.
More info tomorrow.
UPDATE: Vodafone 360 was launched. The Vodafone 360 website has been displaying both the new service but also ‘work in progress’ image over the last hours. It seems Vodafone is in the process of going live, but not fully accessible yet.
Yesterday, Vodafone announced its new suite of internet services called 360. Part of 360 is an app store. Not too many details are announced on the supported content and platforms, but it’s clear that mobile widgets will be in the store.
Vodafone just announced a competition, called App Star, for developers to build the best mobile widget for Vodafone 360:
The mobile widgets to enter this competition need to be based on the JIL platform and support the two upcoming 360 phones by Samsung. These Samsung phones are not running Symbian, Android or Windows Mobile, but the Linux based LiMo operating system.
The Vodafone App Star competition has a combined prize fund of €1,000,000 which will be shared across eight of Vodafone’s largest European operating companies to encourage innovation in the mobile application and widget space. The eight participating countries are: Netherlands, UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Greece.
Vodafone just announced Vodafone 360. “A Suite of Innovative, New Internet Services for Mobile and PC.” According to the press release, 360 covers a lot of services. So what is it?
An address book that integrates with social networks.
A collection of applications, games, music and maps for mobile phones, PC and Mac.
A phone backup service for contacts and other phone content.
An app store with around 1,000 applications.
The address book and phone backup service is a result of the acquisition of Zyb by Vodafone.
Samsung is offering two Vodafone tailored phones that are said to offer the best 360 experience. The phone support is not limited to these two Samsung phones; in total 100 different handsets are supported.
The 2009 launch in Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the UK will be followed by launches in a number of other countries in 2010, including India, Turkey, South Africa, New Zealand, Romania and France.
For us the most interesting part of course is the app store. There are however very little details enclosed. This is all Vodafone is announcing so far:
a catalogue of over one thousand Apps at launch available to different handsets, downloadable through the Vodafone Shop
Like reported earlier, we have many questions regarding this store. We hope more details will be available soon, and will keep you posted.
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