Verizon planning own application store, manufacturers not invited 35
Fri, 17 Jul 2009 9:21 am EDT 
Verizon may want the Pre (or a device like it) on their network, but apparently the App Catalog is not in the cards. As reported at GigaOM, Ryan Hughes, VP of Partner Management at Verizon Wireless, said that Verizon is developing its own application store that will be the only application store pre-loaded on Verizon network devices.
Of course, that’s not going to please manufacturers and probably not developers either. But Verizon’s going to try nonetheless, with plans to hold a developer recruiting event on July 28. With BlackBerry, Palm, Android, and Apple (whom, let's face it, Verizon wants) all having their own working application stores up and running, and Windows Mobile’s right around the corner, Verizon’s not only late to the game, but pushing their luck with their partners. Verizon may be the biggest cellular provider in the United States, but there’s only so much push that manufacturers and developers will take before they start to push back. Verizon’s already infamous for locking down their handsets, and kicking off manufacturer app stores may very well be a step too far.
There is a bonus that many subscribers will prefer, however: the apps in Verizon’s store can be tied to their account. And that’s not just billing, Verizon-specific APIs will be available for developers to take advantage of capabilities like location-based services. Of course, those are features that are easily available in all those other application stores, Palm’s App Catalog and Mojo SDK included.
Verizon is aiming to launch their application store by the end of this year. Verizon has historically shunned developers, especially smartphone developers, with the end goal of maintaining the stability of their network. It’s a great network, but it seems that it comes with strings.
35 Comments
Yet another reason I don't like Verizon or their services. When a company gets so big that they think they can push everyone else around is when I go for the "underdog" (which usually saves me money like in Sprint's case!).
They want because they are salivating over Apple's potential revenue by having a store. The problem with the Palm model is that Sprint may not get a cut of the revenue. And even if Palm shares, it can't be much, there is only so much to go around. This is a case of greed. How many app stores do we need? And does hundreds of app stores really serve the industry well. I know competition is good, but too much competition just causes confusion.
I have a feeling if Verizon does this successfully then all the network providers will insist that the only app stores allowed will be with them. They may not be able to enforce that with Apple, but I am sure they can enforce that will other phone vendors. Getting everything from one source may not be good because they can't concentrate on making it a good product.
Just my ramblings and thoughts.
I could see that as a possibility, which is why I hope Verizon fails hard at this. The idea of a carrier store is to log customers in to them, with no benefit to the customer. One of the big advantages of Palm having their own (and Apple if they were non-exclusive) is that devices need only an internet connection. That is it. Heck, it doesn't even have to be a cell phone.
They want because they are salivating over Apple's potential revenue by having a store.
Apple doesn't make anything on it's app store. They're just breaking even,as far as I know.
doesn't the new LG enV already have a ton of Apps? Anyone know how they're purchased? thru VCast?
Can you hear me now?
Sure, but I don't really give a crap that your talking.
Verizon, thanks for reminding me periodically why I left.
"Verizon has historically shunned developers, especially smartphone developers, with the end goal of maintaining the stability of their network."
Stability of the network is a cop-out plea, and total BS. You must know this, so why did you write those words?
Regardless, Verizon is like most companies and is all about the bottom line. They just go about it in a way that pisses everyone off.
Verizon hates their customers, even though they give them a whole lot of money.
Yet again, Verizon reminds us just how hard it sucks.
It's an interesting academic exercise, the notion of the operator building stickiness by providing an app store for the network instead of the device. But as a practical matter I'm not sure how or if it would work. I guess it would be like Handango where it's divided into sections by phone.
I guess the market will decide if this is viable.
Did you know that Sprint users can roam on Verizon's signal at no extra cost where Sprint coverage is not available? (Just started service with Sprint myself a week ago, and learned that myself.)
If Verizon signal is available in key areas for you, and Sprint is not, you may still be able to make things work for you. I hope this was of some help...
Man.. this kind of crap is EXACTLY why I left Verizon a few years ago.
Come over to the darkside already. Sprint is cheaper than Verizon, has just as good network coverage, and in places it doesn't you get free roaming on Verizon anyway.
Verizon is getting a reputation for nerfing their phones.
You can't have "Verizon" without "a**-backwards".
This is consistent with Verizon's stance on handsets. Personally it is a deal killer.
Verizon is really missing the boat here - no PRe, No iPhone - no competitive handset at all...
And unless they offer their APP store as an alternative site with a decent revenue share - (so developers can post in multiple app stores - e.g.: apple/pre/verizon) - then this is suicide.
They are really missing out on the whole smartphone movement and this will only exacerbate the issue
carrier app stores are a bad idea because they have had forever to make their app stores compelling and useful.
instead of doing this they just served up a bunch of shite that was expensive and didn't work all that well.
this is doomed to fail.
Gee, maybe they can port BREW to the Pre and iPhone too. And their browser that only goes to their own sites.
Who could possibly resist that?
You know, Sprint even gives you unlimited lowercase letters and punctuation marks with your plan, too... ;)
I must say...I DID find that rather humorous. I am thankful that there was no misuse of the word loose for lose in that post. That, more than anything else, drives me absolutely nuts!! I see "journalists" spelling lose with two Os on various blogs... Totally amazes me!
Anyway...I don't care for Verizon myself, but I do believe that once the Pre is out for them, we'll start getting all the goodies we've been promised since day one...
I'm in Chicago, and it seems as if EVERYONE has Verizon...and since they all want something similar to an iPhone, I have a feeling that the Pre will explode come January.
It IS driving me nuts that I'm not able to do many of the things I took for granted on my Treo and Centro. For example...I used to stream my favorite
Talk Radio station here and now I can't do that. The station has it set up so the iPhone can stream....but not the Pre! When I use the link for the iPhone, it connects alright...but only for 30 seconds before it ends. I've contacted the station but I seriously doubt they'll do anything about it. More than likely it's something to do with the webOS and can easily be remedied with an update...but we need enough people complaining for Palm to do anything about it.
Another HUGE inconvenience is the Classic emulator. While I'm glad that I can use my old Palm OS programs on my Pre...shouldn't that have been included with the original package instead of being a $30 added cost? I read a lot of ebooks and there are no dedicated programs for the Pre...yet.
They have some bogus one in the app catalog but it's useless unless you buy their books only.
I have a bunch of MobiPocket PRC files (ebooks) that I can read with the emulator but it's annoying that the emulator has virtual buttons that cut off 1/3 of the screen!! It's bad enough that Palm decided to make the screen half an inch smaller than the iPhone...but now, the Classic emulator makes the screen almost as small as a Centro's?? Lol...not quite, but you get the drift, yes?
Unfortunately, until there are another million or two Pres out there, I don't think there will be too much of a push to make an ebook reader for the device...or to make really GOOD apps instead of the hodgepodge of "duct-tape" apps (as I call them) that are available now.
Don't get me wrong...I use a couple of the apps that are available and they are quite helpful...but they certainly don't seem to take advantage of the processing power or the GUI capabilities of the new OS, right?? This phone, imho, BLOWS AWAY the iPhone but the apps that are in the store look worse than the apps that are available for a Samsung cheapo flip-phone! Ha ha...totally exaggerating but I am curious as to why even bother releasing subpar apps? I'd rather go without than use some of the stuff that's been offered. Quite embarrassing to show my friends the most advanced phone/PDA on the market and the most advanced app on it is a Bejeweled knock-off! Lol...
Sorry...I've said waaaaaay too much! Please don't hesitate to poke holes or fun at my meandering post as I'm totally deserving after leaving an essay instead of a quick comment or two! At any rate....I love my Pre and all the iPhone naysayers can go fly a kite!
Bwahahahahahahaha, I couldn't stop laughing!